1,2,3-substituted indolizine derivatives, inhibitors of fgfs, method for making same and pharmaceutical compositions containing same

ABSTRACT

Compounds of formula I or salts thereof: 
                         
in which
     R 1  represents —OH, (C 1 -C 5 )alkoxy, carboxyl, (C 2 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, —NR 5 R 6 , —NH—SO 2 -Alk, —NH—SO 2 -Ph, —NH—CO-Ph, —N(Alk)-CO-Ph, —NH—CO—NH-Ph, —NH—CO-Alk, —NH—CO 2 -Alk, —O—(CH 2 ) n -cAlk, —O-Alk-COOR 7 , —O-Alk-O—R 8 , —O-Alk-OH, —O-Alk-C(NH 2 ):NOH, —O-Alk-NR 5 R 6 , —O-Alk-CN, —O—(CH 2 ) n -Ph, —O-Alk-CO—NR 5 R 6 , —CO—NH—(CH 2 ) m —COOR 7 , —CO—NH-Alk   R 2  represents H, (C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 5 )alkyl halide, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl or phenyl which is optionally substituted,   A represents —CO—, —SO— or —SO 2 —,   R 3  and R 4  which are identical or different, each represent H, (C 1 -C 5 )alkoxy, amino, carboxyl, (C 2 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, —OH, nitro, hydroxyamino, -Alk-COOR 7 , —NR 5 R 6 , —NH-Alk-COOR 7 , —NH—COO-Alk, —N(R 11 )—SO 2 -Alk-NR 9 R 10 , —N(R 11 )—SO 2 -Alk, —N(R 11 )-Alk-NR 5 R 6 , —N(R 11 )—CO-Alk-NR 9 R 10 , —N(R 11 )—CO-Alk, —N(R 11 )—CO—CF 3 , —NH-Alk-HetN, —O-Alk-NR 9 R 10 , —O-Alk-CO—NR 5 R 6 , —O-Alk-HetN, or R 3  and R 4  form together a 5- to 6-membered unsaturated heterocycle, are inhibitors of basic fibroblast growth factors.

The subject of the present invention is novel 1,2,3-substituted indolizine derivatives, which are inhibitors of FGFs (basic fibroblast growth factors), the method for preparing them and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

FGFs are a family of polypeptides which are synthesized by a large number of cells during embryonic development and by cells of adult tissues under various pathological conditions.

Some derivative of naphthyridinediamines and corresponding ureas are known which are selective inhibitors of FGF-1 (Batley B. et al., Life Sciences, (1998), Vol. 62 No. 2, pp. 143-150; Thompson A. et al., J. Med. Chem., (2000), Vol. 43, pp. 4200-4211).

Some indolizine derivatives are described in patent applications and patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,362, FR 2 341 578, GB 2 064 536, EP 0 097 636, EP 302 792, EP 0 382 628, and EP 0 235 111. These compounds are useful in the treatment of angina pectoris and arrhythmia. Calcium translocation inhibiting properties are described for some of these compounds.

Patent Application EP 0 022 762 also describes some indolizine derivatives which possess a xanthine oxidase and adenosine deaminase inhibiting activity and a uricosuric activity. These compounds may be used in the treatment of physiological disorders which occur following an excess of uric acid, disruptions of the immune system and as parasitic agents.

It has now been found that some compounds, derived from indolizine, are potent antagonists of the binding of FGFs to its receptors.

Accordingly, the subject of the present invention is novel indolizine derivatives of formula I.

in which

-   -   R₁ represents a hydroxyl radical, a linear or branched alkoxy         radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a carboxyl radical, an         alkoxycarbonyl radical of 2 to 6 carbon atoms or a radical of         formula:         -   —NR₅R₆         -   —NH—SO₂-Alk         -   —NH—SO₂-Ph         -   —NH—CO-Ph         -   —N(Alk)-CO-Ph         -   —NH—CO—NH-Ph         -   —NH—CO-Alk         -   —NH—CO₂-Alk         -   —O—(CH₂)_(n)-cAlk         -   —O-Alk-COOR₇         -   —O-Alk-O—R₈         -   —O-Alk-OH         -   —O-Alk-C(NH₂):NOH         -   —O-Alk-NR₅R₆         -   —O-Alk-CN         -   —O—(CH₂)_(n)-Ph         -   —O-Alk-CO—NR₅R₆         -   —CO—NH—(CH₂)m-COOR₇         -   —CO—NH-Alk     -   in which         -   Alk represents an alkyl radical or a linear or branched             alkylene radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms,         -   cAlk represents a cycloalkyl radical of 3 to 6 carbon atoms,         -   n represents an integer from 0 to 5,         -   m represents an integer from 1 to 5,         -   R₅ and R₆, which are identical or different, each represent             a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl radical of 1 to             5 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical,         -   R₇ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical of 1 to 5             carbon atoms,         -   R₈ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a             radical —CO-Alk,         -   Ph represents a phenyl radical which is optionally             substituted with one or more halogen atoms, with one or more             alkoxy radicals of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with one or more             carboxyl radicals or with one or more alkoxycarbonyl             radicals of 2 to 6 carbon atoms,     -   R₂ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon         atoms, an alkyl halide radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms containing         3 to 5 halogen atoms, a cycloalkyl radical of 3 to 6 carbon         atoms or a phenyl radical which is optionally substituted with         one or more halogen atoms, with one or more alkoxy radicals of 1         to 5 carbon atoms, with one or more carboxyl radicals or with         one or more alkoxycarbonyl radicals of 2 to 6 carbon atoms,     -   A represents a radical —CO—, —SO— or —SO₂—,     -   R₃ and R₄, which are identical or different, each represent a         hydrogen atom, an alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an         amino radical, a carboxyl radical, an alkoxycarbonyl radical of         2 to 6 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl radical, a nitro radical, a         hydroxyamino radical, a radical of formula         -   -Alk-COOR₇         -   —NR₅R₆         -   —NH-Alk-COOR₇         -   —NH—COO-Alk         -   —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀         -   —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk         -   —N(R₁₁)-Alk-NR₅R₆         -   —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀         -   —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk         -   —N(R₁₁)—CO—CF₃         -   —NH-Alk-HetN         -   —O-Alk-NR₉R₁₀         -   —O-Alk-CO—NR₅R₆         -   —O-Alk-HetN         -   in which n, m, Alk, R₅, R₆ and R₇ have the meaning given             above for R₁, and             -   R₉ and R₁₀ which are identical or different, each                 represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical of 1 to 5                 carbon atoms,             -   R₁₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂                 where R₁₂ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical                 of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical,             -   HetN represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle                 containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally                 another heteroatom chosen from nitrogen and oxygen,                 or R₃ and R₄ form together a 5- to 6-membered                 unsaturated heterocycle, provided, however, that when R₃                 represents an alkoxy radical and R₄ represents a radical                 —O-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ or a hydroxyl radical, R₁ does not                 represent an alkoxy radical, optionally in the form of                 one of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

A compound of formula I is preferred in which

-   -   R₁ represents a hydroxyl radical, a linear or branched alkoxy         radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a carboxyl radical, an         alkoxycarbonyl radical of 2 to 6 carbon atoms or a radical of         formula:         -   —NR₅R₆         -   —NH—SO₂-Alk         -   —NH—SO₂-Ph         -   —NH—CO-Ph         -   —N(Alk)-CO-Ph         -   —NH—CO—NH-Ph         -   —NH—CO-Alk         -   —NH—CO₂-Alk         -   —O—(CH₂)_(n)-cAlk         -   —O-Alk-COOR₇         -   —O-Alk-O—R₈         -   —O-Alk-OH         -   —O-Alk-NR₅R₆         -   —O-Alk-CN         -   —O—(CH₂)_(n)-Ph         -   —O-Alk-CO—NR₅R₆         -   —CO—NH— (CH₂)_(m)—COOR₇         -   —CO—NH-Alk     -   in which         -   Alk represents an alkyl radical or a linear or branched             alkylene radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms,         -   cAlk represents a cycloalkyl radical of 3 to 6 carbon atoms,         -   n represents an integer from 0 to 5,         -   m represents an integer from 1 to 5,         -   R₅ and R₆, which are identical or different, each represent             a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl radical of 1 to             5 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical,         -   R₇ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical of 1 to 5             carbon atoms,         -   R₈ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a             radical —CO-Alk,         -   Ph represents a phenyl radical which is optionally             substituted with one or more halogen atoms, with one or more             alkoxy radicals of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with one or more             carboxyl radicals or with one or more alkoxycarbonyl             radicals of 2 to 6 carbon atoms,     -   R₂ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a         trifluoromethyl radical, a cycloalkyl radical of 3 to 6 carbon         atoms or a phenyl radical which is optionally substituted with         one or more halogen atoms, with one or more alkoxy radicals of 1         to 5 carbon atoms, with one or more carboxyl radicals or with         one or more alkoxycarbonyl radicals of 2 to 6 carbon atoms,     -   A represents a radical —CO— or —SO₂—,     -   R₃ and R₄, which are identical or different each represent a         hydrogen atom, an alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an         amino radical, a carboxyl radical, an alkoxycarbonyl radical of         2 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro radical, a hydroxyamino radical, a         radical of formula         -   -Alk-COOR₇         -   —NR₅R₆         -   —NH-Alk-COOR₇         -   —NH—COO-Alk         -   —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀         -   —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk         -   —N(R₁₁)-Alk-NR₅R₆         -   —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀         -   —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk         -   —N(R₁₁)—CO—CF₃         -   —NH-Alk-HetN     -   in which n, m, Alk, R₅, R₆ and R₇ have the meaning given above         for R₁, and         -   R₉ and R₁₀, which are identical or different, each represent             a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms,         -   R₁₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂             where R₁₂ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical of 1             to 5 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical,         -   HetN represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle containing at             least one nitrogen atom and optionally another heteroatom             chosen from nitrogen and oxygen,             optionally in the form of one of their pharmaceutically             acceptable salts.

A compound of formula I is particularly preferred in which

-   -   R₁ represents an alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a         carboxyl radical, a radical —O-Alk-COOH in which Alk represents         a linear or branched alkylene radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a         radical of formula —O-Alk-Ph in which Alk represents an alkylene         radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms and Ph represents a phenyl         radical which is optionally substituted with one or more halogen         atoms or with one or more alkoxy radicals of 1 to 5 carbon atoms         or with one or more carboxyl radicals, a radical of formula         —NH—CO-Ph, a radical of formula —NH—SO₂-Ph or a radical of         formula —NH—CO—NH-Ph,     -   R₂ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms,     -   A represents a radical —CO—,     -   R₃ and R₄, which are different, each represent a hydrogen atom,         an alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an amino radical, a         carboxyl radical or an alkoxycarbonyl radical of 2 to 6 carbon         atoms,         optionally in the form of one of its pharmaceutically acceptable         salts.

Among the compounds of the invention, the compounds which are particularly preferred are the following:

-   -   (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone     -   3-(4-amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl carboxylic         acid     -   2-{[3-(4-amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]oxy}acetic         acid     -   (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl){1-[(4-chlorobenzyl)-oxy]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}methanone     -   (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl){1-[(3-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}methanone     -   4-({[3-(4-amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]oxy}methyl)benzoic         acid     -   3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl carboxylic acid     -   methyl 3-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-ylcarbonyl]benzoate     -   4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]benzoic acid     -   2-amino-5-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]benzoic         acid     -   2-amino-5-({1-[(3-methoxybenzoyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoic         acid     -   2-amino-5-({2-methyl-1-[(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)amino]indolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoic         acid     -   2-amino-5-({1-{[(3-methoxyphenyl)sulphonyl]amino}-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoic         acid         optionally in the form of one of its pharmaceutically acceptable         salts.

The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the compounds of formula I, characterized in that

-   A) an indolizine derivative of formula II,

-   -   in which R₁ and R₂ have the meaning given for formula I, but R₂         does not represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl halide radical,     -   is condensed with a derivative of formula III,

in which X represents a halogen atom and R₃ or R₄, which are identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a nitro radical, a trifluoroacetamido radical or an alkoxycarbonyl radical of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ia, Id or Ik,

and then,

-   -   a) the compounds of formula Ia are subjected to a reduction in         order to obtain the compounds of formula Ib,

-   -    in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent an amino radical, which         compounds of formula Ib then         -   are subjected to the action of an alkyl halide in order to             obtain the compounds of formula I for which R₄ and/or R₃             represent a radical —NR₅R₆ (in which R₅ represents a             hydrogen atom and R₆ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5             carbon atoms) and a radical —NH-Alk-NR₅R₆ or a radical             —NH-Alk-COOR₇ (in which R₇ does not represent a hydrogen             atom) from which, by a subsequent saponification, the             compounds of formula I are obtained for which R₄ and/or R₃             represent a radical —NH-Alk-COOR₇ in which R₇ represents a             hydrogen atom,     -   or         -   are subjected to acylation in order to obtain the compounds             of formula I for which R₄ and/or R₃ represent a radical             —NH—CO-Alk, or a radical —NH—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀, which are then             subjected to alkylation in order to obtain a radical             —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁             represents a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂ in which R₁₂ does not             represent a hydrogen atom, the latter compounds are then             optionally subjected to saponification in order to obtain             the compounds of formula I for which R₄ and/or R₃ represent             a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀             where R₁, represents a radical -Alk-COOH,     -   or         -   are subjected to sulphonylation in order to obtain the             compounds of formula I for which R₄ and/or R₃ represent a             radical —NH—SO₂-Alk or a radical —NH—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀, which             are then subjected to alkylation in order to obtain a             radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀             where R₁₁ represents a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂ in which R₁₂ does             not represent a hydrogen atom, the latter compounds are then             optionally subjected to saponification in order to obtain             the compounds of formula I for which R₄ and/or R₃ represent             a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk or a radical             —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁ represents a radical             -Alk-COOH     -   b) the compounds of formula Id in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent         an alkoxycarbonyl radical are subjected to saponification in         order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₃ and/or R₄         represent a carboxyl radical,         or     -   c) when R₁ represents a benzyloxy radical, the compounds of         formula Ia are subjected to the action of trifluoroacetic acid         or the compounds of formula Id to hydrogenation, in order to         obtain the compounds of formula If,

-   -    in which R₃ and/or R₄ have the meanings given above,     -    and then the compounds of formula If are subjected to         O-alkylation in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ig,

-   -    in which R₃ and/or R₄ have the meanings given above, and R₁         represents a linear or branched alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon         atoms, a radical —O—(CH₂)_(n)-cAlk, a radical —O-Alk-COOR₇, a         radical —O-Alk-NR₅R₆, a radical —O—(CH₂)_(n)—Ph, or a radical         —O-Alk-O—R₈—which, when R₈ represents a radical —COCH₃, can         give, by subsequent saponification, a radical —O-Alk-OH—or a         radical —O-Alk-CN which, by treatment with hydroxylamine, gives         a radical —O-Alk-C(NH₂)═NOH,         or     -   d) when R₁ represents an alkoxycarbonyl radical, the compounds         of formula Ia are subjected to saponification in order to obtain         the compounds of formula Ih,

-   -    in which R₃ and/or R₄ have the meanings given above, which are         then subjected to the action of an amine derivative in order to         obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₁ represents a         radical —CO—NH-Alk, or to the action of an amino acid derivative         in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₁         represents a radical —CO—NH— (CH₂)_(m)-COOR₇         or     -   e) when R₁ represents a radical —NH—CO₂tButyl, the compounds of         formula Ia or Id are subjected         -   either to alkylation followed by deprotection and an             optional second alkylation in order to obtain the compounds             of formula Ii,         -   or to deprotection, followed by acylation in order to obtain             the compounds of formula Ij in which R₅ represents a             hydrogen atom, followed by an optional alkylation in order             to obtain the compounds of formula Ij in which R₅ represents             an alkyl radical

-   -   f) when R₁ represents a radical —NH—CO₂tButyl, the compounds of         formula Ik are subjected         -   either to deprotection, followed by acylation in order to             obtain the compounds of formula II

-   -   -   or to deprotection followed by sulphonylation in order to             obtain the compounds of formula Im

-   -   -   or to deprotection, followed by a treatment with a phenyl             isocyanate in order to obtain the compounds of formula In

OR

-   B) when R₁ represents an electron-attracting group, R₂ represents a     hydrogen atom or an alkyl halide radical and A represents a radical     —CO—, pyridine is reacted with a bromoacetophenone of formula IV,

in order to obtain the compounds of formula V,

which are then subjected to a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with ethyl acrylate or a halogenated derivative of ethyl crotonate in the presence of an oxidizing agent in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ia in which R₁ represents an ethoxycarbonyl radical and R₂ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl halide radical.

FIGS. 1 and 2 give the diagram for the synthesis of products Ia to Ig and Ik.

The compounds of formula Ia, in which R₂ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl halide radical, A represents a radical —CO— and R₁ is an electron-attracting group such as alkoxycarbonyl, are prepared according to known cycloaddition methods [J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2001), 38, 853-857].

The quaternization of pyridine with an appropriately substituted bromoacetophenone gives the pyridinium. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the latter is carried out in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as tetrapyridinecobalt(II) dichromate, in a polar solvent such as dimethylformamide.

The compounds according to the invention, when R₃ and/or R₄ represent a nitro radical, are prepared with known benzoylation methods (Eur. J. Med. Chem. Chim. Ther., (1983), 18(4), pp. 339-346) from an indolizine derivative of formula II, and a nitrobenzoyl chloride derivative or a nitrobenzenesulphonyl chloride derivative, which compounds correspond to a compound of formula III. The compounds of formula Ia are thus obtained.

The compounds of formula Ib in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent an amino radical are obtained from the compounds of formula Ia by reducing the nitro functional group. By subjecting the compounds of formula Ib to the action of an alkyl halide, the compounds of formula Ic are obtained for which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a radical —NR₅R₆ (in which R₅ represents a hydrogen atom and R₆ has the meanings given above), a radical —NH-Alk-NR₅R₆ or a radical —NH-Alk-COOR₇ in which R₇ does not represent a hydrogen atom. The compounds for which R₇ represents a hydrogen atom are obtained from the latter compounds by subjecting them to subsequent saponification.

By acylating the compounds of formula Ib, the compounds of formula Ic are obtained for which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a radical —NH—CO-Alk or a radical —NH—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀.

By subjecting these compounds for which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a radical —NH—CO-Alk or a radical —NH—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ to alkylation with a derivative containing an alkoxycarbonyl residue, the compounds of formula I are obtained for which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁ represents a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂ where R₁₂ does not represent a hydrogen atom. By subjecting the latter products to saponification, compounds are obtained for which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁ represents a radical -Alk-COOH.

By sulphonylation of the compounds of formula Ib, the compounds of formula Ic are obtained for which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a radical —NH—SO₂-Alk or a radical —NH—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀.

By subjecting these compounds for which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a radical —NH—SO₂-Alk or a radical —NH—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ to alkylation with a derivative containing an alkoxycarbonyl residue, the compounds of formula I are obtained for which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁ represents a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂ where R₁₂ does not represent a hydrogen atom. By subjecting the latter products to saponification, compounds are obtained for which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁ represents a radical -Alk-COOH.

By reacting an indolizine derivative of formula II with an alkoxycarbonylbenzoyl chloride derivative of formula III, the compounds of formula Id are obtained in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent an alkoxycarbonyl radical. By subjecting the latter compounds to saponification, the compounds of formula Ie are obtained in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a carboxyl radical.

By reacting an indolizine derivative of formula II with a trifluoroacetamidobenzoyl chloride derivative of formula III, the compounds of formula Ik are obtained in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a trifluoroacetamide radical. By subjecting the latter compounds to basic hydrolysis, the compounds of formula Ik are obtained in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a carboxyl and/or amino radical.

As represented in FIG. 2, starting with the compounds of formula I in which R₁ represents a benzyloxy radical and R₃ or R₄ represents an alkoxycarbonyl radical, it is possible to obtain, by subjecting these compounds to hydrogenation, the compounds of formula If. When R₃ or R₄ represents a nitro radical, the compounds of formula If are obtained by the action of trifluoroacetic acid.

By subjecting the compounds of formula If to O-alkylation, the compounds of formula Ig are obtained in which R₁ represents a linear or branched alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a radical —O—(CH₂)_(n)-cAlk, a radical —O-Alk-COOR₇, a radical —O-Alk-NR₅R₆, a radical —O—(CH₂)_(n)—Ph, a radical —O-Alk-O—R₈— which, when R₈ represents a radical —COCH₃, can give, by saponification, the radical —O-Alk-OH,—a radical —O-Alk-CN which can give the radical —O-Alk-C(NH₂):NOH by treating with hydroxylamine.

To obtain the compounds of formula Ih in which R₁ is a carboxyl radical and A is a radical —CO— or a radical —SO₂, the compounds of formula Ia in which R₁ is an alkoxycarbonyl radical are subjected to saponification. The indolizin-1-ylcarboxylic acid derivatives of formula Ih thus obtained can then be subjected to the action of an amine in order to prepare the compounds of formula Ih in which R₁ represents a radical —CO—NH-Alk, or to the action of an amino acid derivative in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₁ represents a radical —CO—NH—(CH₂)_(m)—COOR₇.

The compounds of formula II, when R₁ represents a radical —NH—COOtButyl or a radical —N(CH₃)CH₂C₆H₅ are prepared according to the following synthesis schemes using the Tschitschibabin reaction (Synthesis, (1975), p. 209) in order to prepare the indolizines.

The compounds of formula II, when R₁ represents a radical —OCH₃ or a radical —OCH₂C₆H₅, are also prepared using the Tschitschibabin reaction according to the following synthesis schemes:

The compounds of formula I are potent antagonists of FGF1 and 2. Their capacities to inhibit both the formation of new vessels from differentiated endothelial cells and to block the differentiation of CD34+ CD133+ adult human bone marrow cells into endothelial cells has been demonstrated in vitro. Furthermore, their capacity to inhibit pathological angiogenesis has been demonstrated in vivo.

In general, the FGFs are greatly involved, via autocrine, paracrine or juxtacrine secretions, in the phenomena of deregulation of the stimulation of the growth of cancer cells. Furthermore, FGFs affect tumour angiogenesis which plays a preponderant role both in the growth of the tumour and also in the phenomena of metastasization.

Angiogenesis is a process of generation of new capillary vessels from preexisting vessels or by mobilization and differentiation of bone marrow cells. Thus, both an uncontrolled proliferation of endothelial cells and a mobilization of angioblasts from the bone marrow are observed in tumour neovascularization processes. It has been shown in vitro and in vivo that several growth factors stimulate endothelial proliferation, and in particular FGF1 or a-FGF and FGF2 or b-FGF. These two factors induce the proliferation, migration and production of proteases by endothelial cells in culture and neovascularization in vivo. a-FGF and b-FGF interact with the endothelial cells via two classes of receptors, the high-affinity receptors with tyrosine kinase activity (FGFRs) and the low-affinity receptors of the heparin sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG) type situated at the surface of the cells and in the extracellular matrices. While the paracrine role of these two factors on endothelial cells is widely described, a-FGF and b-FGF could also act on these cells through an autocrine process. Thus, a-FGF and b-FGF and their receptors represent very suitable targets for therapies aimed at inhibiting the angiogenesis process (Keshet E., Ben-Sasson S. A., J. Clin. Invest., (1999), Vol. 501, pp. 104-1497; Presta M., Rusnati M., Dell'Era P., Tanghetti E., Urbinati C., Giuliani R. et al., New York: Plenum Publishers, (2000), pp. 7-34, Billottet C., Janji B., Thiery J. P., Jouanneau J., Oncogene, (2002), Vol. 21, pp. 8128-8139).

Moreover, systematic studies aimed at determining the expression due to a-FGF and b-FGF and their receptors (FGFR) on various types of tumour cells demonstrate that a cellular response to these two F factors is functional in a great majority of human tumour lines studied. These results support the hypothesis that an antagonist of a-FGF and b-FGF could also inhibit the proliferation of tumour cells (Chandler L. A., Sosnowski B. A., Greenlees L., Aukerman S. L., Baird A., Pierce G. F., Int. J. Cancer, (1999), Vol. 58, pp. 81-451).

a-FGF and b-FGF play an important role in the growth and maintenance of prostate cells. It has been shown, both in animal models and in humans, that an alteration of the cellular response to these factors plays a crucial role in the progression of prostate cancer. Indeed, in these pathologies, both an increase in the production of a-FGF and b-FGF by the fibroblasts and the endothelial cells present in the tumour and an increase in the expression of the FGFR receptors on tumour cells are recorded. Thus, a paracrine stimulation of prostate cancer cells occurs, and this process could be a major component of this pathology. A compound possessing an FGFR receptor antagonizing activity such as the compounds of the present invention can represent a therapy of choice in these pathologies (Giri D., Ropiquet F., Clin. Cancer Res., (1999), Vol. 71, pp. 5-1063; Doll J. A., Reiher F. K., Crawford S. E., Pins M. R., Campbell S. C., Bouck N. P., Prostate, (2001), Vol. 305, pp. 49-293).

Several studies show the presence of a-FGF and b-FGF and of their FGFR receptors both in human breast tumour lines (in particular MCF7) and in biopsies of tumours. These factors could be responsible, in this pathology, for the appearance of the very aggressive phenotype inducing high metastasization. Thus, a compound possessing an FGF receptor antagonizing activity, such as the compounds of formula I, may represent a therapy of choice in these pathologies (Vercoutter-Edouart A-S., Czeszak X., Crépin M., Lemoine J., Boilly B., Le Bourhis X. et al., Exp. Cell Res., (2001), Vol. 262, pp. 59-68).

Cancerous melanomas are tumours which induce metastases at a high frequency and which are very resistant to various chemotherapy treatments. The angiogenesis processes play a preponderant role in the progression of a cancerous melanoma. Furthermore, it has been shown that the probability of the appearance of metastases increases very strongly with the increase in the vascularization of the primary tumour. Melanoma cells produce and secrete various angiogenic factors, including a-FGF and b-FGF. Moreover, it has been shown that inhibition of the cellular effect of these two factors by soluble FGFR1 blocks in vitro the proliferation and the survival of melanoma tumour cells and blocks in vivo tumour progression. Thus, a compound possessing FGFR receptor antagonizing activity, such as the compounds of the present invention, may represent a therapy of choice in these pathologies (Rofstad E. K., Halsor E. F., Cancer Res., (2000); Yayon A., Ma Y-S., Safran M., Klagsbrun M., Halaban R., Oncogene, (1997), Vol. 14, pp. 2999-3009).

Glioma cells produce in vitro and in vivo a-FGF and b-FGF and possess various FGFRs at their surface. This therefore suggests that these two factors, through an autocrine and paracrine effect, lay a pivotal role in the progression of this type of tumour. Furthermore, like the majority of solid tumours, the progression of gliomas and their capacity to induce metastases is highly dependent on the angiogenic processes in the primary tumour. It has also been shown that FGFR1 antisenses block the proliferation of human astrocytomas. Furthermore, naphthalenesulphonate derivatives are described for inhibiting the cellular effects of a-FGF and b-FGF in vitro and the angiogenesis induced by these growth factors in vivo. Intracerebral injection of these compounds induces a very significant increase in apoptosis and a substantial decrease in angiogenesis resulting in considerable regression of gliomas in rats. Thus, a compound possessing an antagonist activity for a-FGF and/or b-FGF and/or the FGFR receptors, such as the compounds of the present invention, may represent a therapy of choice in these pathologies (Yamada S. M., Yamaguchi F., Brown R., Berger M. S., Morrison R. S., Glia, (1999), Vol. 76, pp. 28-66; Auguste P., Gürsel D. B., Lemière S., Reimers D., Cuevas P., Carceller F., et al., Cancer Res., (2001), Vol. 26, pp. 61-1717).

More recently, the potential role of proangiogenic agents in leukaemias and lymphomas has been documented. Indeed, it has been reported, in general, that cellular clones in these pathologies may be either naturally destroyed by the immune system or switch to an angiogenic phenotype which promotes their survival and then their proliferation. This change of phenotype is induced by an overexpression of angiogenic factors, in particular by the macrophages, and/or mobilization of these factors from the extracellular matrix (Thomas D. A., Giles F. J., Cortes J., Albitar M., Kantarjian H. M., Acta Haematol, (2001), Vol. 207, pp. 106-190). Among the angiogenic factors, b-FGF has been detected in numerous lymphoblastic and hematopoietic tumour cell lines. The FGFR receptors are also present on a majority of these lines, suggesting a possible autocrine cellular effect of a-FGF and b-FGF inducing the proliferation of these cells. Moreover, it has been reported that bone marrow angiogenesis by paracrine effects was correlated with the progression of some of these pathologies.

More particularly, it has been shown, in CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukaemia) cells that b-FGF induces an increase in the expression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bc12) leading to an increase in the survival of these cells and therefore greatly participates in their cancerization. Furthermore, the b-FGF levels measured in these cells are very well correlated with the stage of clinical advance of the disease and the resistance to the chemotherapy applied in this pathology (fludarabine). Thus, a compound possessing an FGFR receptor antagonizing activity, such as the compounds of the present invention, may represent a therapy of choice, either in combination with fludarabine or other active products, in this pathology (Thomas D. A., Giles F. J., Cortes J., Albitar M., Kantarjian H. M., Acta Haematol, (2001), Vol. 207, pp. 106-190; Gabrilove J. L. Oncologist, (2001), Vol. 6, pp. 4-7).

A correlation exists between the process of bone marrow angiogenesis and the extramedullary diseases in CML (chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia). Various studies demonstrate that the inhibition of angiogenesis, in particular by a compound possessing an FGFR receptor antagonizing activity could represent a therapy of choice in this pathology.

The proliferation and the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells contribute to intimal hypertrophy of the arteries and thus plays a preponderant role in atherosclerosis and in restenosis following angioplasty and endarterectomy.

Studies in vivo show, after lesion of the carotid by balloon injury, a local production of a-FGF and b-FGF. In this same model, an anti-FGF2 neutralizing antibody inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and thus decreases intimal hypertrophy.

A chimeric protein FGF2 bound to a molecule such as saponin blocks the binding of b-FGF to its FGFR receptors, inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro and intimal hypertrophy in vivo (Epstein C. E., Siegall C. B., Biro S., Fu Y. M., FitzGerald D., Circulation, (1991), Vol. 87, pp. 84-778; Waltenberger J., Circulation, (1997), pp. 96-4083).

Thus, antagonists of the FGFR receptors, such as the compounds of the present invention, represent a therapy of choice, either alone or in combination with antagonist compounds for other growth factors involved in these pathologies, such as PDGF, in the treatment of pathologies linked to the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells such as atherosclerosis, restenosis post-angioplasty or following the fitting of endovascular prostheses (stents) or during aorto-coronary artery by-pass surgery.

Cardiac hypertrophy occurs in response to a stress of the ventricular wall induced by an overload in terms of pressure or volume. This overload may be the consequence of numerous physiopathological states such as hypertension, AC (aortic coarctation), myocardial infarction and various vascular disorders. The consequences of this pathology are morphological, molecular and functional changes such as hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes, the accumulation of matrix proteins and the re-expression of foetal genes. b-FGF is involved in this pathology. Indeed, the addition of b-FGF to cultures of cardiomyocytes of newborn rats modifies the profile of the corresponding genes to contractile proteins leading to a foetal-type gene profile. Additionally, adult rat myocytes show a hypertrophic response under the effect of b-FGF, this response being blocked by anti-b-FGF neutralizing antibodies. Experiments carried out in vivo on transgenic knockout mice for b-FGF show that b-FGF is the major stimulating factor for cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in this pathology (Schultz Je J., Witt S. A., Nieman M. L., Reiser P. J., Engle S. J., Zhou M. et al., J. Clin. Invest., (1999), Vol. 19, pp. 104-709).

Accordingly, a compound, such as the compounds of the present invention, possessing FGFR receptor antagonizing activity represents a therapy of choice in the treatment of cardiac insufficiency and any other pathology associated with a degeneracy of the cardiac tissue. This treatment could be carried out alone or in combination with current treatments (beta-blockers, diuretics, angiotensin antagonists, antiarrhythmics, anti-calcium agents, antithrombotics, and the like).

Vascular disorders caused by diabetes are characterized by an alteration of vascular reactivity and of blood flow, hyperpermeability, an exacerbated proliferative response and an increase in matrix protein deposits. More precisely, a-FGF and b-FGF are present in the preretinal membranes of patients with diabetic retinopathies, in the membranes of underlying capillaries and in the vitreous humour of patients suffering from proliferative retinopathies. A soluble FGF receptor capable of binding both a-FGF and b-FGF is developed in vascular disorders linked to diabetes (Tilton R. G., Dixon R. A. F., Brock T. A., Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs, (1997), Vol. 84, pp. 6-1671). Thus, a compound such as the compounds of formula I possessing an FGFR receptor antagonizing activity represents a therapy of choice either alone or in combination with antagonist compounds for other growth factors involved in these pathologies, such as VEGF.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease with an unknown aetiology. While it affects numerous organs, the most severe form of RA is a progressive synovial inflammation of the joints leading to destruction. Angiogenesis appears to greatly affect the progression of this pathology. Thus, a-FGF and b-FGF have been detected in the synovial tissue and in the joint fluid of patients suffering from RA, indicating that this growth factor is involved in the initiation and/or progression of this pathology. In AIA models (adjuvant-induced model of arthritis) in rats, it has been shown that the overexpression of b-FGF increases the severity of the disease whereas an anti-b-FGF neutralizing antibody blocks the progression of RA (Yamashita A., Yonemitsu Y., Okano S., Nakagawa K., Nakashima Y., Irisa T. et al., J. Immunol., (2002), Vol. 57, pp. 168-450; Manabe N., Oda H., Nakamura K., Kuga Y., Uchida S., Kawaguchi H., Rheumatol, (1999), Vol. 20, pp. 38-714). Thus, the compounds according to the invention represent a therapy of choice in this pathology.

IBDs (inflammatory bowel diseases) comprise two forms of chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestine: UC (ulcerative colitis) and Crohn's disease (CD). IBDs are characterized by an immune dysfunction which results in an inappropriate production of inflammatory cytokines inducing the establishment of a local microvascular system. The consequence of this angiogenesis of inflammatory origin is an intestinal ischaemia induced by vasoconstriction. High circulating and local levels of b-FGF were measured in patients suffering from these pathologies (Kanazawa S., Tsunoda T., Onuma E., Majima T., Kagiyama M., Kkuchi K., American Journal of Gastroenterology, (2001), Vol. 28, pp. 96-822; Thorn M., Raab Y., Larsson A., Gerdin B., Hallgren R., Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, (2000), Vol. 12, pp. 35-408). The compounds of the invention which exhibit a high antiangiogenic activity in a model of inflammatory angiogenesis represent a therapy of choice in these pathologies.

FGFR1, 2 and 3 are involved in the processes of chronogenesis and osteogenesis. Mutations leading to the expression of permanently activated FGFRs have been linked to a large number of human genetic diseases which result in malformations of the skeleton, such as Pfeiffer, Crouzon, Apert, Jackson-Weiss and Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndromes. Some of these mutations, which affect more particularly FGFR3, lead in particular to achondroplasia (ACH), hypochondroplasia (HCH) and TD (Thanatophoric dysplasia), ACH being the most common form of nanism. From a biochemical point of view, sustained activation of these receptors occurs through dimerization of the receptor in the absence of ligand (Chen. L., Adar R., Yang X., Monsonego E. O., LI C., Hauschka P. V., Yagon A. and Deng C. X., (1999), The Journal of Clin. Invest., Vol. 104, No. 11, pp. 1517-1525). Thus, the compounds of the invention which exhibit an antagonist activity on the binding of b-FGF and FGFR and which thus inhibit the dimerization of the receptor represent a therapy of choice in these pathologies.

By virtue of their low toxicity and their pharmacological and biological properties, the compounds of the present invention find application in the treatment of any carcinoma having a high degree of vascularization (lung, breast, prostate, oesophagus) or inducing metastases (colon, stomach, melanoma) or sensitive to a-FGF or to b-FGF in an autocrine manner or, finally, in lymphoma and leukaemia type pathologies. These compounds represent a therapy of choice either alone or in combination with an appropriate chemotherapy. The compounds according to the invention also find application in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, post-angioplasty restenosis, in the treatment of diseases linked to the complications which appear following the fitting of endovascular prostheses and/or aorto-coronary artery by-passes or other vascular transplants and cardiac hypertrophy or vascular complications of diabetes such as diabetic retinopathies. The compounds according to the invention also find application in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or IBDs. Finally, the compounds according to the invention may be used in the treatment of achondroplasia (ACH), hypochondroplasia (HCH) and TD (thanatrophoric dysplasia).

According to another of its features, the subject of the present invention is therefore a pharmaceutical composition containing, as active ingredient, a compound of formula I according to the invention or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, optionally in combination with one or more inert and appropriate excipients.

The said excipients are chosen according to the pharmaceutical dosage form and the desired mode of administration: oral, sublingual, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, transdermal, transmucosal, local or rectal.

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention are preferably administered by the oral route.

In the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention for oral administration, the active ingredients may be administered in a unit form for administration, as a mixture with conventional pharmaceutical carriers. The appropriate unit forms for administration comprise, for example, tablets, which are optionally scored, gelatine capsules, powders, granules and oral solutions or suspensions.

When a solid composition in the form of tablets is prepared, the main active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical vehicle such as gelatine, starch, lactose, magnesium stearate, talc, gum Arabic and the like.

It is possible to coat the tablets with sucrose or other appropriate materials, or alternatively it is possible to treat them so that they have a prolonged or delayed activity and they continuously release a predetermined quantity of active ingredient.

A preparation in the form of gelatine capsules is obtained by mixing the active ingredient with a diluent and pouring the mixture obtained in soft or hard gelatine capsules.

A preparation in syrup or elixir form may contain the active ingredient together with a sweetener, preferably calorie-free, methylparaben and propylparaben as antiseptics, a taste enhancer and an appropriate colouring.

Water-dispersible powders or granules may contain the active ingredient as a mixture with dispersing agents, wetting agents or suspending agents, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, and with sweeteners or flavour corrigents.

The active ingredient may also be formulated in the form of microcapsules, optionally with one or more carriers or additives.

In the pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention, the active ingredient may also be in the form of an inclusion complex in cyclodextrins, their ethers or their esters.

The quantity of active ingredient to be administered depends, as always, on the degree of progression of the disease and the age and weight of the patient.

The compositions according to the invention, for oral administration, therefore contain recommended doses of 0.01 to 700 mg.

The following examples, given without limitation, illustrate the present invention.

PREPARATIONS Preparation I Synthesis of tert-butyl 2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarbamate

11.7 g (62.4 mmol) of potassium carbonate and 6.3 g of (72 mmol) of lithium bromide are added to 10 g (48 mmol) of tert-butyl [(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]carbamate in 50 ml of acetonitrile, followed by 5 ml (62.4 mmol) of chloroacetone, and the medium is heated under reflux overnight.

It is cooled and 40 ml of water and 11.7 g (62.4 mmol) of potassium carbonate are added, and the medium is heated at 90° C. for 2 h 30 min. The reaction medium is cooled and extracted with ethyl acetate.

The organic phase is removed after settling out, washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product is purified by flash chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a toluene/ethyl acetate (95:5) mixture. 6.27 g of a white powder are collected.

Yield: 53% Melting point: 111° C.

Preparation II Synthesis of N-benzyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methylindolizin-1-yl)amine

This compound is obtained according to the same procedure as the compound of Preparation I, using the Tschitschibabin reaction and starting with 2.47 g of N-benzyl-N-methyl-N-[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]amine and chloroacetone. 970 mg of a yellow oil are obtained.

Yield: 34% Mass spectrometry (ES+ mode): MH+=251

Preparation III Synthesis of 1-methoxy-2-methylindolizine

This compound is obtained starting with 2-(methoxymethyl)pyridine and chloroacetone, using the Tschitschibabin reaction. The product is isolated in the form of a yellow oil which crystallizes in the freezer.

Yield: 77.5% Mass spectrometry (ES+ mode): MH+=161.8

Preparation IV Synthesis of 1-benzyloxy-2-methylindolizine

This compound is obtained according to the same procedure as that described in Preparation I using the Tschitschibabin reaction.

The product is isolated in the form of a yellow oil.

Yield: 39%

Preparation V Synthesis of methyl 5-(chlorocarbonyl)-2[(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate

Step A

Synthesis of 4-amino-3-(methoxycarbonyl)benzoic acid

150 mg (1.21 mmol) of 4-dimethylaminopyridine are added to 2.5 g (12.1 mmol) of 2,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydro-2H-3,1-benzoxazine-6-carboxylic acid [described in J. Med. Chem., (1981), 24(6), 735-742] in solution in 10 ml of dimethylformamide and 10 ml of methanol, and the mixture is heated at 60° C. for 3 hours. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with a saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The solid obtained is taken up in ethyl acetate, filtered and dried. 1.98 g of a white powder are obtained.

Yield: 84% Melting point: 224.5° C.

Step B

Synthesis of methyl 3-(methoxycarbonyl)-4-[(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate

868 μl (6.15 mmol) of trifluoroacetic anhydride are rapidly added to 1.0 g (5.12 mmol) of 4-amino-3-(methoxycarbonyl)benzoic acid in suspension in 15 ml of dichloromethane. The solution is stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. The solution is concentrated to dryness and the solid obtained is taken up in a pentane/ethyl ether mixture and then filtered off. 1.48 g of a white powder are obtained after drying.

Yield: 99% Melting point: 239° C.

Step C

530 μl (7.27 mmol) of thionyl chloride and 3 drops of dimethylformamide are added to 784 mg (2.69 mmol) of methyl 3-(methoxycarbonyl)-4-[(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate in solution in 9 ml of dichloromethane, and then the medium is heated under reflux for 90 minutes. It is evaporated to dryness, and the excess of thionyl chloride is carried away by coevaporation with toluene. 834 mg of acid chloride are obtained in the form of a yellow solid, which solid is used as is it without further purification in the steps of benzoylation of the indolizines.

Yield: quantitative.

EXAMPLES Example 1 (1-Methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone

4.21 g (0.0195 mol) of 3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl chloride are added to 3 g (0.0186 mol) of 1-methoxy-2-methylindolizine whose preparation is described in Preparation III, dissolved in 50 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane, and the medium is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours.

The reaction medium is poured over water. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under vacuum.

The residue is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with dichloromethane. After evaporation, 6.05 g of a yellow solid are obtained.

Yield: 95% Melting point: 287° C.

Examples 2 to 28

By carrying out the procedure according to the preparation described above, the compounds of formula I, for which A represents a radical —CO—, which are described in Table I below, are synthesized by benzoylation of the 3-position of the indolizines variously substituted at the 1- and 2-positions with suitably substituted benzoyl chlorides.

TABLE I Melting point (° C.) Ex- or mass am- Yield spectrometry ple R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) (MH+) 2 OBn Ph OMe NO₂ 94 186° C. 3 OBn Me OMe NO₂ 95 153° C. 4 OBn Me H CO₂Me 70.5 110° C. 5 OMe cPr OMe NO₂ 81 112° C. 6 OMe Ph OMe NO₂ 82  65° C. 7 OMe Me H NO₂ 88 146° C. 8 OMe Me H CO₂Me 92 143° C. 9 OMe Me CO₂Me H 75 121° C. 10 OMe Me NO₂ CO₂Me 57 138° C. 11 OMe Me OMe CO₂Me 88.5 145° C. 12 OMe Me H CH₂CO₂Me 75  94° C. 13 CO₂Et Me OMe —NO₂ 91 137° C. 14 CO₂Et Me OMe CO₂Me 45.5 141° C. 15 CO₂Et Ph OMe NO₂ 85 151° C. 16 CO₂Et Me H CO₂Me 98 139° C. 17 N(Me)Bn Me OMe NO₂ 90 MH+ = 430.3 18 NHBOC Me OMe NO₂ 76 MH+ = 426.5 19 CO₂Et Me CO₂Me NO₂ 92 137° C. 20 OMe Me CO₂Me NO₂ 100 150° C. 21 OMe Me NO₂ OMe 90 135° C. 22 CO₂Et Me NO₂ OMe 30  60° C. 23 CO₂Et Me CO₂Me NO₂ 92 137° C. 24 OMe Me CO₂Me OMe 69 119° C. 25 CO₂Et Me CO₂Me OMe 12 110° C. 26 OMe cPr CO₂Me NO₂ 34 MH⁺ = 395.2 27 NH—BOC Me CO₂Me NO₂ 81  92° C. 28 NH—BOC Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 81 226° C. Bn = benzyl Me = methyl Et = ethyl BOC = tbutoxycarbonyl

Example 29 (1-Amino-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone

2.32 ml of trifluoroacetic acid are added dropwise to a solution of 643 mg (1.51 mmol) of tert-butyl 3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarbamate in 20 ml of dichloromethane, cooled to 0° C. Once the introduction is complete, the medium is allowed to return to room temperature and it is stirred for 4 hours. The reaction medium is poured over a saturated aqueous potassium carbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crystals obtained are taken up in isopropyl ether, filtered off, washed with isopropyl ether and then dried. 425 mg of a brown solid are obtained.

Yield: 87% Mass spectrometry (ES+ mode) MH⁺=326.3

By carrying out the procedure according to the preparation described above, the compounds of formula I, for which A represents a radical —CO— and which are described in Table II below, are synthesized by deprotecting the amine at the 1-position of the indolizines with the aid of trifluoroacetic acid.

TABLE II Yield Melting point Example R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) (° C.) 30 NH₂ Me CO₂Me NO₂ 91 162° C. 31 NH₂ Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 88 231° C.

Example 32 N-[3-(3-Methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]methanesulphonamide

0.292 ml (3.78 mmol) of mesyl chloride is added to a solution of 350 mg (1.08 mmol) of the compound of Example 29 in 3 ml of pyridine, and the medium is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in 1 N hydrochloric acid and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is crystallized from ethanol. 327 mg of yellow crystals are obtained.

Yield: 75% Mass spectrometry (ES+ mode) MH⁺=404.3

Example 33 Methyl 5-[(1-{[(3-methoxyphenyl)sulphonyl]amino}-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate

This compound is prepared according to the same method as the preceding example, by sulphonylation of methyl 5-[(1-amino-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]-2-[2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate with 3-methoxybenzenesulphonyl chloride. 466 mg of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 83% Melting point: 220.5° C.

Example 34 Methyl 5-[(1-{[(3-methoxyanilino)carbonylamino}-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate

140 μl (1.05 mmol) of 3-methoxyphenyl isocyanate are added to 400 mg (0.95 mmol) of methyl 5-[(1-amino-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]-2-[2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate dissolved in 13 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture is heated at 40° C. for 20 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is taken up in acetone, the solid is filtered off and it is washed with acetone and then ethyl ether. 442 mg of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 82% Melting point: 314° C.

Example 35 (3-Methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)[2-methyl-1-(methylamino)indolizin-3-yl]methanone

Step A

Synthesis of tert-butyl 3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl(methyl)carbamate

3.05 g (7.2 mmol) of tert-butyl 3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarbamate in solution in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran are added dropwise to 315 mg (7.9 mmol) of sodium hydride (at 60% as a dispersion in oil) in suspension in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran, cooled to 0° C. After stirring for 1 hour at 0° C., 0.59 ml (9.5 mmol) of methyl iodide is added while the medium is maintained at 0° C. It is allowed to return to room temperature and it is stirred for 1 hour. The reaction medium is poured over a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 3.47 g of an orange-coloured foam are obtained.

Yield: 96% Mass spectrometry (ES+ mode) MH⁺=440.3

Step B

13 ml of trifluoroacetic acid are added dropwise to a solution of 3.38 g (7.7 mmol) of the product obtained in Step A in 60 ml of dichloromethane, cooled to 0° C. When the introduction is complete, the medium is allowed to return to room temperature and it is stirred for 3 hours.

The reaction medium is poured over a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The residue is purified by flash chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a toluene/ethyl acetate (9/1) mixture. After evaporation, 2.2 g of a red powder are obtained.

Yield: 76% Mass spectrometry (ES+ mode) MH⁺=340.2

Examples 36 and 37

By carrying out the procedure according to Example 35—Step A, the compounds of formula I, for which A represents a radical —CO— and which are described in the Table below, are synthesized by alkylating the tert-butyl carbamate at the 1-position of the indolizines with 3-methoxybenzyl chloride, in the presence of sodium hydride in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran and dimethylformamide.

TABLE III Melting point (° C.) Ex- or mass am- Yield spectro. ple R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) (MH+) 36 N(BOC)Bn-3-OMe Me OMe NO₂ 91 MH+ = 546.4 37 N(BOC)Bn-3-OMe Me CO₂Me NO₂ 80 65° C.

Examples 38 and 39

By carrying out the procedure according to Example 35—Step B, the compounds of formula I, for which A represents a radical —CO— and which are described in Table IV below, are synthesized by deprotecting the amine at the 1-position of the indolizines with the aid of trifluoroacetic acid.

TABLE IV Mass Yield spectro. Example R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) (MH+) 38 NHBn-3-OMe Me OMe NO₂ 89 MH+ = 446.3 39 NHBn-3-OMe Me CO₂Me NH₂ 99 MH+ = 444.4

Example 40 [1-(Dimethylamino)-2-methylindolizin-3-yl](3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone

382 mg (1.1 mmol) of the compound of Example 21 in solution in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran are added dropwise to 44 mg (1.1 mmol) of sodium hydride (at 60% in a dispersion in oil) in suspension in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran, cooled to 0° C. Once the introduction is complete, the medium is allowed to return to room temperature over 1 hour, and then 69 μl (1.1 mmol) of methyl iodide are added and the medium is stirred at room temperature for 17 hours.

The reaction medium is poured over a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The residue is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a toluene/ethyl acetate (95/5) mixture. 143 mg of an orange-coloured foam are obtained.

Yield: 37%

Example 41 {1-[(3-Methoxybenzyl)(methyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone

595 mg (1.83 mmol) of caesium carbonate and 83 μl (1.34 mmol) of methyl iodide are added to 542 mg (1.22 mmol) of {1-[(3-methoxybenzyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenylmethanone in solution in 15 ml of dimethylformamide.

The reaction mixture is heated at 40° C. for 21 hours.

The mixture is poured into a saturated sodium chloride solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product is purified by chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a toluene/ethyl acetate (95/5) mixture. A red gum is obtained.

Yield: 96% Mass spectrometry (ES+ mode) MH+=460.3

Example 42 Methyl 2-amino-5-({1-[3-methoxybenzyl)(methyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoate

This compound is prepared according to the same method as that described in the example above, starting with 340 mg (0.76 mmol) of methyl 2-amino-5-({1-[(3-methoxybenzyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoate. 260 mg of an orange-coloured solid are obtained.

Yield: 80% Melting point: 60° C.

Example 43 Methyl 5-({1-[(3-methoxybenzoyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)-2-[2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate

3.37 g (7.6 mmol) of benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP) and 2.1 ml of triethylamine are added to 1.16 g (7.6 mmol) of 3-methoxybenzoic acid dissolved in 30 ml of dimethylformamide and 60 ml of dichloromethane.

The medium is stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes and then 3.04 g (7.2 mmol) of methyl 5-[(1-amino-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]-2-[2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate are added.

After stirring for 16 hours at room temperature, the yellow precipitate obtained in the reaction medium is filtered off and it is washed with dichloromethane. 2.38 g of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 60% Melting point: 239° C.

Examples 44 to 61

By carrying out the procedure according to the method described above, the compounds described in Table V below are synthesized by coupling (1-amino-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone or methyl 5-[(1-amino-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]-2-[2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate with the appropriate carboxylic acid in the presence of benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP).

TABLE V Melting Yield point Example R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) (° C.) 44 NHCOPh-4-Cl Me OMe NO₂ 76 255° C. 45 NHCOPh-4-CO₂Me Me OMe NO₂ 88 274° C. 46 NHCOPh-3-OMe Me OMe NO₂ 86 180° C. 47 NHCOPh-3-OMe-4-NO₂ Me OMe NO₂ 60 286° C. 48 NHCOPh-2,3-OMe Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 87 215° C. 49 NHCOPh-2,5-OMe Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 83 214° C. 50 NHCOPh-3,4-OMe Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 76 260° C. 51 NHCOPh-3,4,5-OMe Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 83 259° C. 52 NHCOPh-3,5-OMe Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 74 223° C. 53 NHCOPh-3-OMe 4-Me Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 82 251° C. 54 NHCOPh-3,4-methylenedioxy Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 79 245° C. 55 NHCOPh-3-OMe 4-Cl Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 82 264° C. 56 NHCOPh-3-OMe 4-F Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 27 260° C. 57 NHCOPh-2,5-OMe 4-Cl Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 82 242° C. 58 NHCO-5-indolyl Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 76 186° C. 59 NHCOPh-3-OMe 4-CO₂Me Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 77 191° C. 60 NHCOPh-3-OCF₃ Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 60 258° C. 61 NHCOPh-2.4.5-OMe Me CO₂Me NHCOCF₃ 64 253° C.

Example 62 N-[3-(3-Methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]acetamide

1.20 ml (12.60 mmol) of acetic anhydride are added to 410 mg (1.26 mmol) of (1-amino-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone dissolved in 10 ml of dichloromethane.

The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. The precipitate obtained is filtered off and washed with ethyl ether and then dried to give 295 mg of an orange-coloured powder.

Yield: 63% Melting point: 238° C.

Example 63 3-Methoxy-N-[3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]-N-methylbenzamide

51 mg of sodium hydride (60% suspension in oil) are added to 466 mg (1.01 mmol) of 3-methoxy-N-[3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]benzamide in solution in 19 ml of tetrahydrofuran.

The medium is stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes and then 65 μl of methyl iodide are added. After stirring for 2 hours, water is added to the reaction medium and then the medium is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with a saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product is purified by chromatography on silica gel, eluting with dichloromethane. 435 mg of a yellow solid are obtained.

Yield: 91% Melting point: 190° C.

Example 64 Methyl 5-({1-[(3-methoxybenzoyl)(methyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)-2-nitrobenzoate

This compound is prepared according to the protocol described in the example above by methylating 1.9 g (3.9 mmol) of methyl 5-({1-[(3-methoxybenzoyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)-2-nitrobenzoate with methyl iodide. 1.85 g of a red solid are obtained.

Yield: 84% Melting point: 158.5° C.

Example 65 Ethyl [3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)indolizin-1-yl]carboxylate

Step A

Synthesis of 1-[2-(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]pyridinium bromide

467 μl (5.78 mmol) of pyridine are added to 1.32 g (4.82 mmol) of 2-bromo-1-(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-1-ethanone, described in Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr., (1962), 2255-2261, in solution in 13 ml of acetonitrile, and the medium is stirred at room temperature for 5 hours.

The reaction medium is precipitated.

Ethyl ether is added, the crystals are filtered off, washed with ethyl ether and then dried. 1.65 g of yellow crystals are obtained.

Yield: 97% Melting point: 216° C.

Step B

500 mg (1.42 mmol) of 1-[2-(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]pyridinium bromide are added, in portions, to 219 μl (1.56 mmol) of triethylamine in 4.5 ml of dimethylformamide, followed by 1.06 ml (7.08 mmol) of ethyl 4,4,4-trifluorocrotonate and 561 mg (0.92 mmol) of tetrapyridinecobalt(II) dichromate.

The reaction medium is heated at 90° C. for 6 hours. The reaction medium is cooled and then poured over 1 N hydrochloric acid and the product thus obtained is extracted with ethyl acetate.

The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with water and then with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product obtained is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with dichloromethane. 437 mg of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 71% Melting point: 63° C.

Example 66 Ethyl [3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)indolizin-1-yl]carboxylate

This compound is obtained according to the same method as the preceding example in Step B by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 1-[2-(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]pyridinium bromide (obtained in Step A of the preceding example) with ethyl acrylate. A yellow powder is obtained after purification by flash chromatography on a silica column, eluting with dichloromethane.

Yield: 78% Melting point: 168° C.

Example 67 (1-Hydroxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone

A solution of 5 g (12 mmol) of [1-(benzyloxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl](3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone, a compound of Example 3, in 30 ml of trifluoroacetic acid, is heated under reflux for 2 hours.

The reaction medium is evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and with water, and then the organic phase is dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure.

The product obtained is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol (99/1) mixture. 2.93 g of an orange-coloured powder are obtained.

Yield: 75% Melting point: 193° C.

Example 68 Methyl 4-({[3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]oxy}methyl)benzoate

812 mg (3.37 mmol) of methyl 4-(bromomethyl)benzoate are added to a solution of 1 g (3.06 mmol) of (1-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-indolizinyl)(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone in 16 ml of dimethylformamide, in the presence of 508 mg (3.68 mmol) of potassium carbonate, and the medium is heated at 90° C. for 4 hours.

The reaction medium is poured over water and extracted with ethyl acetate.

The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated to dryness. The product obtained is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a toluene/ethyl acetate (9/1) mixture. 880 mg of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 60.5% Melting point: 154° C.

Examples 69 to 84

By carrying out the procedure according to the method described in Example 68, the compounds described in Table VI below are synthesized by alkylating (1-hydroxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone with appropriately chosen halogenated derivatives. To obtain the compound of Example 80, the compound of Example 79 is subjected to saponification.

TABLE VI

Compounds of formula Ia Example R′ Yield (%) Melting point 69 CH₂C₆H₅—2Cl 90 173° C. 70 CH₂C₆H₅—3Cl 74 179° C. 71 CH₂C₆H₅—4Cl 82 162° C. 72 CH₂C₆H₅—2OMe 84 148° C. 73 CH₂C₆H₅—3OMe 67.5 145° C. 74 CH₂C₆H₅—4OMe 71 135° C. 75 CH₂C₆H₅—3CO₂Me 57 171° C. 76 CH₂CO₂Et 91 127° C. 77 CH₂CONH₂ 65 222° C. 78 (CH₂)₂NMe₂ 26 108° C. 79 (CH₂)₂OAc 68 Oil 80 (CH₂)₂OH 90 142° C. 81 CH₂CN 91.5 176° C. 82 iPr 19 283° C. 83 CH₂cPr 22 111° C. 84 CH₂C₆H₅-2-CO₂Me 82 146° C.

Example 85 Methyl 4-[(1-hydroxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]benzoate

8.75 ml (86.37 mmol) of cyclohexene are added to 3.45 g (8.64 mmol) of methyl 4-[(1-(benzyloxy)-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]benzoate in 40 ml of ethanol, in the presence of 690 mg of 10% Pd/C, and the medium is heated under reflux for one hour.

The reaction medium is cooled to room temperature and the catalyst is removed by filtration on talc. The filtrate is under reduced pressure.

The product obtained is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol (98/2) mixture. 2.5 g of an orange-coloured powder are obtained.

Yield: 93.5% Melting point: 192° C.

Example 86 Methyl 4-{[1-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoethoxy)-2-methylindolizin-3-yl]carbonyl}benzoate

202 μl (1.78 mmol) of ethyl bromoacetate are added to 500 mg (1.62 mmol) of methyl 4-[(1-hydroxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]benzoate, a compound of Example 85, in 10 ml of dimethylformamide, in the presence of 268 mg (1.94 mmol) of potassium carbonate, and the medium is heated at 90° C. for one hour.

The reaction medium is cooled, poured over water and extracted with ethyl acetate, and then separated after settling out. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The product obtained is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a toluene/ethyl acetate (9/1) mixture. 570 mg of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 89% Melting point: 84.5° C.

Example 87 Methyl 4-({1-[(3-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoate

This compound is obtained according to the same procedure as that of Example 86, by O-alkylation of methyl 4-[(1-hydroxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]benzoate with 3-methoxybenzyl bromide. A yellow powder is obtained which melts at 106° C.

Yield: 76%

Example 88 3-(3-Methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxylic acid

26.2 ml of 1 N sodium hydroxide are added to 5 g (13.1 mmol) of ethyl 3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxylate, a compound of Example 13—prepared according to the procedure of Example 1 by benzoylation of ethyl (2-methylindolizin-1-yl)carboxylate described in J. Chem. Soc., (1963), pp. 3277-3280—, in suspension in 50 ml of dioxane, and the medium is heated under reflux for 17 hours. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in water, washed with ethyl ether, and the medium is separated after settling out. The aqueous phase is acidified to pH 6 with a potassium hydrogen sulphate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 4.9 g of an orange-coloured powder are obtained.

Yield: quantitative Melting point: 215° C.

Example 89 N-Ethyl 3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxamide

0.61 ml (4.34 mmol) of triethylamine is added to a solution of 750 mg (2.12 mmol) of the acid of Example 88 in 12 ml of dimethylformamide, followed, in portions, by 983 mg (2.22 mmol) of benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate. The medium is stirred for 5 min at room temperature and then 182 mg (2.22 mmol) of ethylamine hydrochloride are added.

The reaction medium is stirred overnight at room temperature, poured over water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with dichloromethane/methanol (98/2). 700 mg of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 87% Melting point: 188° C.

Example 90 Ethyl 2-({[3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]carbonyl}amino)acetate

This compound is obtained according to the same method as the preceding compound, by coupling 3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxylic acid with ethyl glycinate hydrochloride.

The product is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with dichloromethane/methanol (93/7). A yellow powder is obtained.

Yield: 86% Melting point: 191° C.

Example 91 1-Methoxy-2-methyl-3-[(4-nitrophenyl)sulphonyl]indolizine

690 mg (3.1 mmol) of 4-nitrobenzenesulphonyl chloride in solution in 4 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane are added to 500 mg (3.1 mmol) of 1-methoxy-2-methylindolizine dissolved in 8 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane, and the medium is stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The reaction medium is poured over water and dichloromethane. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate (9/1). 330 mg of a yellow oil are obtained.

Yield: 31%

Example 92 1-Methoxy-2-methyl-3-[(3-nitrophenyl)sulphonyl]indolizine

This compound is prepared according to the protocol described for the example above, by sulphonylation of 1 g (6.2 mmol) of 1-methoxy-2-methylindolizine with 3-nitrobenzenesulphonyl chloride. 540 mg of a yellow oil are obtained.

Yield: 98%

Example 93 Sodium salt of 4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)sulphonyl]benzoic acid

This compound is obtained according to the same procedure as the compound of Example 91, by sulphonylation of 1-methoxy-2-methylindolizine with 4-chlorosulphonylbenzoic acid. The product is purified by flash chromatography on a silica column, eluting with dichloromethane/acetone (9/1). 120 mg of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 11%

The product, dissolved in methanol, is salified by adding one equivalent of 1 N sodium hydroxide. The methanol is evaporated off and the residue is crystallized from acetone. The product is filtered, washed with acetone and then with ethyl ether and dried. 100 mg of sodium salt are obtained in the form of a yellow powder.

Melting point: 175° C.

Example 94 (4-Amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone

700 mg of 10% Pd/C are added to 6 g (0.0176 mol) of (1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indolizinyl)(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone, a compound of Example 1, in 100 ml of ethanol, followed by 35.71 ml (0.352 mol) of cyclohexene, and the medium is heated under reflux for 2 hours. The reaction medium is cooled, filtered over talc and the catalyst is washed with dichloromethane. The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane. The organic phase is washed with 1 N sodium hydroxide and then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 5.05 g of a yellow powder are recovered.

The product is salified by dissolving the powder obtained above in 60 ml of dichloromethane plus 20 ml of methanol, and then adding 21 ml of 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether. After adding ethyl ether, the precipitate obtained is filtered off, washed with ethyl ether and then dried. 5.4 g of a yellow powder in hydrochloride form are recovered.

Yield: 88% Melting point: 198° C.

Examples 95 to 117

By carrying out the procedure according to the preparation described above, the compounds described in Table VII below are synthesized by reducing the nitro functional group of the compounds of formula Ia with cyclohexene in the presence of 10% Pd/C as catalyst.

TABLE VII Melting point or Yield mass spectro. Example R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) Salts (MH+) 95 OMe C₆H₅ OMe NH₂ 90 HCl, 0.45H₂O 209° C. 96 OMe cPr OMe NH₂ 95 HCl, 0.15H₂O 191° C. 97 CO₂Et Me OMe NH₂ 91 HCl 194° C. 98 OCH₂CO₂Et Me OMe NH₂ 99 HCl 182° C. 99 OCH₂CONH₂ Me OMe NH₂ 87 HCl MH⁺ = 354.1 100 O(CH₂)₂OH Me OMe NH₂ 89 HCl, 0.5H₂O 205° C. 101 OMe Me H NH₂ 86 HCl, 0.2H₂O 221° C. 102 CONHEt Me OMe NH₂ 72 HCl, 0.45H₂O 221° C. 103 CONHCH₂CO₂Et Me OMe NH₂ 91 HCl, 1.05H₂O 196° C. 104 OMe Me CO₂Me NH₂ 87 0.4H₂O 297° C. 105 CO₂Et Me CO₂Me NH₂ 95 — 172° C. 106 OMe Me NH₂ OMe 82 HCl 209° C. 107 CO₂Et C₆H₅ OMe NH₂ 86 — 180° C. 108 CO₂Et Me NH₂ OMe 85 162° C. 109 CO₂Et CF₃ OMe NH₂ 81 —  75° C. 110 CO₂Et H OMe NH₂ 89 — 143° C. 111 NHCOPh-4-CO₂Me Me OMe NH₂ 72 HCl 275° C. 112 NHCOPh-3-OMe Me OMe NH₂ 77 HCl, 0.4H₂ O 209° C. 113 NHCOPh(3-OMe)4-NH₂ Me OMe NH₂ 82 2HCl, 1H₂O 178° C. 114 NHAc Me OMe NH₂ 57 HCl, 0.35H₂O 253° C. 115 N(Me)COPh-3-OMe Me OMe NH₂ 98 HCl 113° C. 116 N(Me)COPh-3-OMe Me CO₂Me NH₂ 99 —  91° C. 117 N(BOC)COPh-3-OMe Me CO₂Me NH₂ 98 —  82° C.

Example 118 (4-Amino-3-methoxyphenyl){1-[(2-chlorobenzyl)oxy]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}methanone hydrochloride

47 mg of 10% Pd/C are added to 470 mg (1.04 mmol) of {1-[(2-chlorobenzyl)oxy]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}(3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone in 5 ml of methanol and 10 ml of dichloromethane, followed by 253 μl (5.21 mmol) of hydrazine hydrate, and the medium is stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction medium is filtered on talc and the catalyst is washed with methanol.

The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, the organic phase is washed with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 460 mg of a yellow powder are recovered.

The product is salified by dissolving the powder obtained above in a mixture of ethyl acetate and methanol, and then 1.25 ml (1.2 equivalents) of 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether are added. After addition of ethyl ether, the precipitate obtained is filtered, washed with ethyl ether and then dried. 440 mg of a yellow powder are recovered in the form of the hydrochloride 0.65H₂O.

Yield: 90% Melting point: 177° C.

Examples 119 to 140

By carrying out the procedure according to the preparation described in Example 118, the compounds described in Table VIII below are synthesized by reducing the nitro functional group of the compounds of formula Ia with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of 10% Pd/C as catalyst.

TABLE VIII Melting point or Yield mass spectro. Example A R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) Salts (MH+) 119 CO OBn C₆H₅ OMe NH₂ 94 HCl, 0.2H₂O 207° C. 120 CO O(CH₂)₂NMe₂ Me OMe NH₂ 31 2HCl, 2H₂O 246° C. 121 CO OBn-4-Cl Me OMe NH₂ 99 HCl 177° C. 122 CO OBn-3-OMe Me OMe NH₂ 95 HCl 181° C. 123 CO OBn-4-OMe Me OMe NH₂ 99 HCl, 0.3H₂O 128° C. 124 CO OBn-2-OMe Me OMe NH₂ 99 HCl 164° C. 125 CO OBn-3-CO₂Me Me OMe NH₂ 75 HCl 185° C. 126 CO OBn-4-CO₂Me Me OMe NH₂ 93 HCl, 1H₂O 160° C. 127 CO OBn-3-Cl Me OMe NH₂ 96 HCl 175° C. 128 CO N(Me)Bn Me OMe NH₂ 78 HCl, 1.6H₂O 114° C. 129 CO NHBOC Me OMe NH₂ 95 base MH⁺ = 396.4 130 CO NHMe Me OMe NH₂ 88 HCl, 210° C. 1.15H₂O 131 CO NHSO₂Me Me OMe NH₂ 83 HCl 228° C. 132 CO OMe Me NH₂ CO₂ 72 — 135° C. Me 133 SO₂ OMe Me H NH₂ 66 — 157° C. 134 SO₂ OMe Me NH₂ H 45 — 137° C. 135 CO OCH₂cPr Me OMe NH₂ 99 HCl 181° C. 136 CO OiBu Me OMe NH₂ 60 HCl 103° C. 137 CO NMe₂ Me OMe NH₂ 80 2HCl, 171° C. 0.2H₂O 138 CO OBn-2-CO₂Et Me OMe NH₂ 98 HCl, 185° C. 0.5H₂O 139 CO NHBn-3-OMe Me OMe NH₂ 72 HCl 186° C. 140 CO N(Me)Bn-3-OMe Me OMe NH₂ 95 HCl, 161° C. 1.5H₂O

Example 141 4-Chloro-N-[3-(4-amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]benzamide

A mixture of 384 mg (0.83 mmol) of 4-chloro-N-[3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]benzamide and 115 mg of platinum oxide in 9 ml of dimethylformamide is stirred, under 5 bar of hydrogen, at room temperature for 24 hours, and then filtered on talc. The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product is purified by chromatography on silica gel, eluting with toluene/acetone (9/1 to 8/2). 1 ml of 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether is added to the yellow powder obtained, suspended in 5 ml of dichloromethane and 5 ml of methanol. The precipitate obtained is filtered off, washed with acetone and then dissolved in 2 ml of methanol and 40 ml of water. The hydrochloride thus obtained is freeze-dried. 162 mg of an orange-coloured powder are obtained.

Yield: 50% Melting point: 191° C.

Example 142 [1-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylindolizin-3-yl](3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanone

1.52 ml of 1 N sodium hydroxide are added to 420 mg (1.02 mmol) of 2-{[3-(3-methoxy-4-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]oxy}ethyl acetate, a compound of Example 79, dissolved in 6 ml of dioxane, and the medium is stirred at room temperature for 6 hours. The reaction medium is poured over water and ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 340 mg of an orange-coloured powder are obtained, which powder is used without further purification in the subsequent nitro reduction step.

Yield: 90% Melting point: 142° C.

Example 143 Sodium salt of 4-[(1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indolizinyl)carbonyl]benzoic acid

2.45 ml of 1 N sodium hydroxide are added to 720 mg (2.23 mmol) of methyl 4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]benzoate, a compound of Example 8, in solution in 15 ml of methanol plus 15 ml of dioxane, and the medium is stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in water, washed with ethyl ether and separated after settling out. The aqueous phase is acidified with 1 N hydrochloric acid and extracted with dichloromethane.

The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 700 mg of an orange-coloured powder are obtained, which powder is suspended in 20 ml of methanol and then one equivalent of 1 N sodium hydroxide is added. The solution obtained is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is crystallized from acetone. The product is filtered off, washed with acetone and then with ethyl ether, dried, and 680 mg of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield (Na salt): 92% Melting point >400° C.

Examples 144 to 157

By carrying out the procedure according to the method described in Example 143, the compounds described in Table IX below are synthesized by saponification of the ester functional group of the compounds of formula Id.

TABLE IX Yield Melting Example R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) Salts point 144 OMe Me CO₂H H 76 Na 218° C. 145 OMe Me NO₂ CO₂H 85 Na 265° C. 146 OMe Me NH₂ CO₂H 77 Na 315° C. 147 OBn-3-OMe Me H CO₂H 81 Na, 0.7H₂O 268° C. 148 OMe Me OMe CO₂H 87 Na, 1H₂O 235° C. 149 OMe Me H CH₂CO₂H 91 Na, 0.7H₂O 248° C. 150 OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 98 Na, 1H₂O 258° C. 151 OMe Me CO₂H NO₂ 83 Na, 0.95H₂O 164° C. 152 OMe Me CO₂H OMe 92 Na, 0.65H₂O 318° C. 153 H Me CO₂H NH₂ 95 Na, 1.3H₂O 300° C. 154 OMe cPr CO₂H NH₂ 100 Na, 1.75H₂O 249° C. 155 N(Me)COPh-3-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 77 Na, 3.2H₂O 230° C. 156 NHBn-3-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 83 Na, 1.15H₂O 164° C. 157 N(Me)Bn-3-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 78 Na, 1.2H₂O 211° C.

Example 158 2-Amino-5-({1-[3-methoxybenzoyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoic acid

6.6 ml of a sodium hydroxide solution (2 N) are added to 3.31 g (6.0 mmol) of methyl 5-({1-[(3-methoxybenzoyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)-2-[2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]benzoate in suspension in 40 ml of dioxane and 20 ml of methanol. The reaction medium is heated under reflux for 2.5 hours, and then it is allowed to return to room temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is taken up in a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. After decantation, the aqueous phase is acidified with a molar hydrochloric acid solution. The precipitate obtained is filtered off, thoroughly washed with water and dried under vacuum. 2.4 g of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 90% Melting point: 290° C.

Na salt, monohydrate: melting point: 265° C.

Examples 159 to 174

By carrying out the procedure according to the method described above, the compounds of formula I, in which A represents —CO— and which are described in Table X below, are synthesized by hydrolysing the methyl ester and the trifluoroacetamide of R₃ and R₄ with sodium hydroxide.

TABLE X Melting Yield Point Example R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) Salts (° C.) 159 NHCOPh-2,3-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 75 Na, 3.0 H₂O 236 160 NHCOPh-2,3-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 77 Na, 2.5 H₂O 265 161 NHCOPh-3,4-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 79 Na, 2.0 H₂O 331 162 NHCOPh-3,4,5-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 92 Na, 1.5 H₂O 349 163 NHCOPh-3,5-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 71 Na, 2.0 H₂O 293 164 NHCOPh-(3-OMe)4-Me Me CO₂H NH₂ 78 Na, 1.0 H₂O 277 165 NHCOPh-3,4-methylenedioxy Me CO₂H NH₂ 94 Na, 1.8 H₂O 400 166 NHCOPh(4-Cl)-3-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 67 Na, 3.0 H₂O 320 167 NHCOPh(4-F)3-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 72 Na, 2.25 H₂O 276 168 NHCOPh(4-Cl)2.5-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 82 Na, 2.5 H₂O 280 169 NHCOPh-5-indoyl Me CO₂H NH₂ 86 Na, 2.8 H₂O 296 170 NHCOPh(3-OMe)4-CO₂H Me CO₂H NH₂ 74 2Na, 2.5 H₂O 323 171 NHCOPh-3-OCF₃ Me CO₂H NH₂ 76 Na, 1.5 H₂O 321 172 NHCOPh-2,4,5-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 53 Na, 2.5 H₂O 272 173 NHSO₂Ph-3-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 50 Na, 2 H₂O 238 174 NHCONHPh-3-OMe Me CO₂H NH₂ 75 Na, 1.2 H₂O 378

Example 175 3-(4-Amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxylic acid

30 ml of 2 N sodium hydroxide are added to 2.1 g (5.96 mmol) of ethyl 3-(4-amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methyl-1-indolizinecarboxylate in solution in 30 ml of dioxane, and the medium is heated under reflux for 20 hours. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure.

The residue is taken up in water, washed with ethyl ether and separated after settling out. The aqueous phase is acidified to pH 6.5 with a 10% aqueous potassium hydrogen sulphate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 1.8 g of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield: 93%

Two salts of the compound are then prepared: Sodium salt, monohydrate, melting point: 224° C.; hydrochloride, melting point: 213° C.

Examples 176 to 185

By carrying out the procedure according to the preparation described above, the compounds described in Table XI below are synthesized by saponification of the ester functional group contained in the substituent R₁ of the compounds of formula Id, in which A represents a radical —CO—, with sodium hydroxide.

TABLE XI Melting Yield point Example R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) Salts (° C.) 176 OCH₂CO₂H Me 3-OMe 4-NH₂ 91 — 227° C. 177 CONHCH₂CO₂H Me 3-OMe 4-NH₂ 90 Na, 0.95H₂O 297° C. 178 OBn-3-CO₂H Me 3-OMe 4-NH₂ 84 Na, 1.25H₂O 207° C. 179 OBn-4-CO₂H Me 3-OMe 4-NH₂ 76 Na, 0.7H₂O 216° C. 180 CO₂H C₆H₅ 3-OMe 4-NH₂ 84 Na, 1.25H₂O 305° C. 181 OBn-2-CO₂H Me 3-OMe 4-NH₂ 100 Na, 1.5H₂O Dec.174 182 CO₂H CF₃ 3-OMe 4-NH₂ 87 Na, 1H₂O 330° C. 183 CO₂H H 3-OMe 4-NH₂ 90 Na, 1.9H₂O 254° C. 184 CO₂H Me 3-NH₂ 4-OMe 91 Na, 1H₂O 225° C. 185 NHCOPh-4-CO₂H Me OMe NH₂ 48 HCl 256° C.

Example 186 Disodium salt of 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxylic acid

7.47 ml of 1 N sodium hydroxide are added to 910 mg (2.49 mmol) of ethyl 3-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzoyl]-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxylate in solution in 20 ml of dioxane plus 20 ml of ethanol, and the medium is heated under reflux for 6 hours. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in water, washed with ethyl ether and separated after settling out. The aqueous phase is acidified with 1 N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 650 mg of a yellow powder are obtained, which powder is suspended in 20 ml of methanol, and then 4.02 ml of 1 N sodium hydroxide (2 eq.) are added.

The solution obtained is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is crystallized from acetone. The product is filtered off, washed with acetone and then with ethyl ether and dried. 700 mg of a yellow powder are obtained.

Yield, disodium salt, dihydrate: 81% Melting point: >400° C.

Examples 187 to 191

By carrying out the procedure according to Example 186, the compounds described in Table XII below are synthesized by saponification of the ester functional groups contained in the substituents R₁ and R₄ of the compounds of formula I, in which A represents a radical —CO—, with 1 N sodium hydroxide.

TABLE XII Ex- Melting am- Yield point ple R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ (%) Salts (° C.) 187 OCH₂CO₂H Me H CO₂H 90 2Na, >400° C. 2H₂O 188 CO₂H Me OMe CO₂H 96 2Na,  323° C. 1.5H₂O 189 CO₂H Me CO₂H NH₂ 82 2Na,  336° C. 1.9H₂O 190 CO₂H Me CO₂H NO₂ 96 2Na,  321° C. 2.5H₂O 191 CO₂H Me CO₂H OMe 66 2Na,  310° C. 1.4H₂O

Example 192 (4-{[3-(Dibutylamino)propyl]amino}-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone hydrochloride

700 mg (2.25 mmol) of (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone, a compound described in Example 94, dissolved in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran, are added to 278.4 mg (2.25 mmol) of potassium tert-butoxide in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran, and the medium is stirred for 15 minutes at room temperature.

510.5 mg (2.48 mmol) of dibutylaminopropyl chloride in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran are then added, and the medium is heated under reflux overnight.

The reaction medium is cooled and poured over water and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a dichloromethane/acetone (9/1) and then (1/1) mixture.

700 mg of an orange-coloured resin are obtained, which resin is salified in ethyl ether by adding one equivalent of 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether.

The crystals obtained are filtered off, washed with ethyl ether and dried. An orange-coloured powder is obtained in the form of the hydrochloride, 1.25H₂O.

Yield: 65% Melting point: 51° C.

Example 193 [3-Methoxy-4-(methylamino)phenyl](1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone hydrochloride

This compound is obtained according to the same procedure as that described in Example 192, by alkylating (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone with methyl iodide. A yellow powder is obtained.

Yield: 45% Melting point: 172° C.

Example 194 (4-{[3-(Dibutylamino)propyl]amino}-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)methanone dihydrochloride

Obtained according to the same procedure as that described in Example 192, by alkylating (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)methanone, a compound of Example 95, with dibutylaminopropyl chloride. An orange-coloured powder is obtained (dihydrochloride: 1.3H₂O).

Yield: 37% Melting point: 158° C.

Example 195 Ethyl 2-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate

This compound was obtained according to the same procedure as that described in Example 192, by alkylating (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone, a compound of Example 94, with ethyl bromoacetate. A yellow powder is obtained.

Yield: 60.5% Melting point: 125° C.

Example 196 2-{2-Methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetic acid

3.15 ml of 1 N sodium hydroxide are added to 1 g (2.52 mmol) of ethyl 2-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate, a compound obtained in Example 195, in solution in 10 ml of ethanol, and the medium is stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in water, washed with ethyl ether and separated after settling out. The aqueous phase is neutralized with 1 N hydrochloric acid. The precipitate formed is filtered off, washed with water, dried and then taken up in ethyl ether, filtered and dried. A yellow powder is obtained.

Yield: 48.5% Melting point: 196° C.

Example 197 Ethyl 2-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate

This compound was obtained according to the method described in Example 192, by alkylating (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)methanone, a compound of Example 95, with ethyl bromoacetate. A yellow powder is obtained.

Yield: 78% Melting point: 132° C.

Example 198 2-{2-Methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetic acid

Obtained according to the same procedure as the compound of Example 196, by saponification of ethyl 2-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate, a compound of Example 197, with 1 N sodium hydroxide. A yellow powder is obtained.

Yield: 80% Melting point: 206° C.

Example 199 3-(Dibutylamino)-N-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}propanamide hydrochloride

2.5 ml (17.7 mmol) of triethylamine are added to 2.5 g (8.06 mmol) of (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone, a compound of Example 94, in 20 ml of dichloromethane cooled to 5° C., followed by 846 μl (8.86 mmol) of 3-chloropropionyl chloride in solution in 10 ml of dichloromethane, and the medium is stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. The reaction medium is washed with water and then with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The residue obtained is dissolved in 40 ml of ethanol and 1.7 g (13.2 mmol) of dibutylamine are added, and then the medium is heated under reflux for 7 hours. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure. The product is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol (98:2) mixture. 2.6 g of product are obtained, which product is salified by adding 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether. A yellow powder is obtained (hydrochloride, 0.25H₂O).

Yield: 65% Melting point: 82° C.

Example 200 3-(Dibutylamino)-N-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}propanamide hydrochloride

This compound was obtained according to the same procedure as that described in Example 199, by acylation of (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)methanone with 3-chloropropionyl chloride, followed by amination with dibutylamine. A yellow powder is obtained (hydrochloride, hemihydrate),

Yield: 52% Melting point: 190° C.

Example 201 N-{2-Methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}acetamide

This compound was obtained according to the same procedure as that described in Example 199, by acylation of (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone, a compound of Example 94, with acetyl chloride. The product is purified by flash chromatography on silica, eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol (99:1) mixture. A yellow powder is obtained (0.3H₂O).

Yield: 73% Melting point: 180° C.

Example 202 Ethyl 2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenylcarbamate

This compound was obtained according to the same procedure as that described in Example 199 by acylation of (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone with ethyl chloroformate. The product is purified by flash chromatography on silica, eluting with dichloromethane. A yellow powder is obtained.

Yield: 41% Melting point: 140° C.

Example 203 Ethyl 2-{[3-(dibutylamino)propanoyl]-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate hydrochloride

1 g (2.03 mmol) of 3-(dibutylamino-N-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}propanamide, a compound of Example 199, in solution in 10 ml of dimethylformamide, is added dropwise to 89.1 mg (2.23 mmol) of sodium hydride, at 60% as a dispersion in oil, in 10 ml of dimethylformamide, and then the medium is stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. 247 μl (2.23 mmol) of ethyl bromoacetate are then added, and the medium is stirred at room temperature overnight.

The reaction medium is poured over water and ethyl acetate. The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product is purified by flash chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol (97:3) mixture. 850 mg of an oil are obtained, which oil is dissolved in ethyl ether and salified by adding one equivalent of 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether. Yellow crystals are obtained (hydrochloride, hydrate).

Yield: 72% Melting point: 67° C.

Example 204 Hydrochloride of 2-{[3-(dibutylamino)propanoyl]-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetic acid

586 μl of 1 N sodium hydroxide are added to 340 mg (0.586 mmol) of ethyl 2-{[3-(dibutylamino)propanoyl]-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate obtained in Example 203, in solution in 5 ml of ethanol, and the medium is stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in water, washed with ethyl ether and separated after settling out. The aqueous phase is neutralized with 1 N hydrochloric acid, and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product is purified by flash chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol (8:2) mixture. 230 mg of an oil are obtained, which oil is dissolved in ethyl acetate and salified by adding one equivalent of 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether. A yellow powder is obtained (hydrochloride, 0.6H₂O).

Yield: 71% Melting point: 151° C.

Example 205 Ethyl 2-{[3-(dibutylamino)propanoyl]-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenyl-3-indolizinyl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate hydrochloride

Obtained according to the method described in Example 203, by alkylating 3-(dibutylamino)-N-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}propanamide, a compound of Example 200, with ethyl bromoacetate. A yellow powder (hydrochloride) is obtained after salification with 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether.

Yield: 55% Melting point: 64° C.

Example 206 Hydrochloride of 2-{[3-(dibutylamino)propanoyl]-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetic acid

Obtained according to the same procedure as that of Example 204, by saponification of ethyl 2-{[3-(dibutylamino)propanoyl]-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate, a compound of Example 205, with 1 N sodium hydroxide. A yellow powder is obtained after salification with 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether.

Yield: 75% Melting point: 113° C.

Example 207 2-(Dibutylamino)-N-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}-1-ethanesulphonamide hydrochloride

471.5 μl (3.38 mmol) of triethylamine are added to 1 g (3.22 mmol) of (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone in 15 ml of dichloromethane, followed by 346.9 μl (3.22 mmol) of 2-chloroethylsulphonyl chloride in solution in 5 ml of dichloromethane, and the medium is stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction medium is washed with water and then with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The residue obtained is dissolved in 10 ml of ethanol. 375 mg (2.9 mmol) of dibutylamine are added and the medium is heated under reflux for 4 hours. The reaction medium is concentrated under reduced pressure. The product is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol (98:2) mixture. 1.18 g of product are obtained, which product is salified by adding 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether. A yellow powder is obtained (hydrochloride, hemihydrate).

Yield: 69% Melting point: 91° C.

Example 208 2-(Dibutylamino)-N-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}-1-ethanesulphonamide hydrochloride

This compound is obtained according to the same procedure as the compound of Example 207, by sulphonylation of (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)methanone with 2-chloroethylsulphonyl chloride, followed by amination with dibutylamine. A yellow powder is obtained (hydrochloride, hemihydrate).

Yield: 63% Melting point: 111° C.

Example 209 N-{2-Methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}methanesulphonamide

Obtained according to the same procedure as the compound of Example 207, by sulphonylation of (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone with methanesulphonyl chloride. The product is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a toluene/ethyl acetate (7:3) mixture. A yellow powder is obtained.

Yield: 67% Melting point: 165° C.

Example 210 Ethyl 3-{3-methoxy-4-[(methylsulphonyl)amino]benzoyl}-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxylate

This compound was obtained according to the same procedure as that described in Example 207, by sulphonylation of ethyl 3-(4-amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxylate, a compound of Example 97, with methanesulphonyl chloride. The product is purified by chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a toluene/ethyl acetate (8:2) mixture. A yellow powder is obtained.

Yield: 57% Melting point: 178° C.

Example 211 Sodium salt of 3-{3-methoxy-4-[(methylsulphonyl)amino]benzoyl}-2-methylindolizin-1-ylcarboxylic acid

1 ml of caustic soda is added to 290 mg (0.675 mmol) of ethyl 3-{3-methoxy-4-[(methylsulphonyl)amino]benzoyl}-2-methylindoliz-1-ylcarboxylate in 7 ml of dioxane plus 7 ml of water, and the medium is heated under reflux for 6 hours.

The medium is cooled, poured over water and neutralized with an aqueous potassium hydrogen sulphate solution, and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

220 mg of a yellow powder are obtained. The product is salified by adding one equivalent of 1 N sodium hydroxide to a suspension of the product in water and stirring at room temperature until dissolution is obtained.

The solution obtained is then freeze-dried. A yellow freeze-dried product is recovered (Na salt, 1.85H₂O).

Yield: 81% Mass spectrometry (ES+ mode) MH⁺=403.2

Example 212 Hydrochloride of 2-{{[2-(dibutylamino)ethyl]sulphonyl}-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetic acid

Step A

Benzyl 2-{{[2-(dibutylamino)ethyl]sulphonyl}-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate

125 mg (0.906 mmol) of potassium carbonate are added to 400 mg (0.755 mmol) of 2-(dibutylamino)-N-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}-1-ethanesulphonamide, a compound of Example 207, in solution in 10 ml of dimethylformamide, followed by 142 μl (0.906 mmol) of benzyl bromoacetate, and the medium is heated at 60° C. for 1 hour. The reaction medium is poured over water and ethyl acetate.

The organic phase is separated after settling out, washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product is purified by flash chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol (98:2) mixture. 440 mg of an oil are obtained, which oil is used directly in the next step.

Yield: 86%

Step B

1.3 ml (12.7 mmol) of cyclohexene are added to 430 mg (0.634 mmol) of benzyl 2-{{[2-(dibutylamino)ethyl]sulphonyl}-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate in 5 ml of ethanol, in the presence of 100 mg of 10% Pd/C, and the medium is heated under reflux for 3 hours. The reaction medium is cooled. The catalyst is filtered off and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure.

The product is purified by flash chromatography on a silica column, eluting with a dichloromethane/methanol (9:1) mixture. 250 mg of an oil are obtained, which oil is dissolved in ethyl acetate and salified by adding one equivalent of 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether. An orange-coloured powder is obtained (hydrochloride, dihydrate).

Yield: 67% Melting point: 85° C.

Example 213 Benzyl 2-{{[2-(dibutylamino)ethyl]sulphonyl}-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate hydrochloride

This compound was obtained according to the same procedure as Example 212, Step A, by alkylating 2-(dibutylamino)-N-{2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]phenyl}-1-ethanesulphonamide, with benzyl bromoacetate.

A yellow powder (hydrochloride, hemihydrate) is obtained after salification with 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether.

Yield: 55% Melting point: 95° C.

Example 214 Hydrochloride of 2-({[2-(dibutylamino)ethyl]sulphonyl}-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetic acid

This compound was obtained according to the same procedure as Example 212, Step B, by hydrogenating benzyl 2-{{[2-(dibutylamino)ethyl]sulphonyl}-2-methoxy-4-[(1-methoxy-2-phenylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]anilino}acetate, a compound of Example 213, with cyclohexene in the presence of Pd/C in ethanol. A yellow powder (hydrochloride, 1.5H₂O) is obtained after salification with 1 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether.

Yield: 75% Melting point: 113° C.

Example 215 Study of the Binding of ¹²⁵I-b-FGF to the Purified Receptor FGF R α IIIc by the Proximity Scintillation Method

NBS plates (NBS plate 96 well solid white CORNING 3600) are coated with 100 μl of 0.1% gelatine per well, for 2 hours at 37° C. At the end of the incubation, the coating is removed, the plates are rinsed and thoroughly dried. 100 μl of binding buffer (40 mM Bis Tris buffer, pH 7.0) are distributed into the plates.

Dilutions of the compounds of the invention are distributed into the wells in an amount of 10 μl/well. There are then distributed 10 μl/well of b-FGF (AMERSHAM ARM 35050) and 10 μl/well of FGF R α IIIc (R&D Systems 658 FR). Next, there are added 10 μl/well of ¹²⁵I-b-FGF (Dupont NEN NEX 268—specific activity>70 μCi) and 50 μl/well of SPA beads (AMERSHAM RPQN 00019). The plate is shaken for a few seconds and it is incubated for 60 minutes at 37° C., protected from light.

At the end of the incubation, the plate is read in a MIBROBETA TRILUX radioactivity counter (WALLAC-PERKINELMER).

The compounds of the invention demonstrated a specific activity of between 10⁻⁶ M and 10⁻⁹ M.

Example 216 Effects of the Compounds of formula I on the Proliferation of HUVECs Versus 30 ng/ml of b-FGF or 10 ng/ml of a-FGF

Coat the 24-well plates (FALCON PRIMARIA) with 200 μl of a solution of fibronectin (50 μg/ml prepared in PBS)/well.

Inoculate in an amount of 30 000 cells/ml/well in an RPMI 1640 medium+10% FCS+1% glutamine+heparin-ECGF (HE) mixture.

Incubate at 37° C., 5% CO₂, the time required for the cells to adhere.

Dissolve the products and prepared solutions in DMSO/reaction medium having a final concentration of 1 μM final at 10⁻⁷ M.

After adhesion of the cells for 6 hours at 37° C. in the presence of 5% CO₂, the medium is replaced with RPMI 1640 0.1% FSC+glutamine+HE.

For the derivatization, there is used as negative control 0.1% FCS, as positive control 0% FCS and as control 0.1% FCS+30 ng/ml of b-FGF or 10 ng/ml of a-FGF. Incubation is then carried out for 24 hours at 37° C. in the presence of 5% CO₂.

The second day, the cells are rinsed with 1 ml PBS and 200 μl of trypsin, and they are then recovered in isotone. Counting is carried out (n>9 μm).

In this test of proliferation of endothelial cells induced by b-FGF or a-FGF, the compounds of the invention demonstrated a specific activity of between 10⁻⁵ M and 10⁻⁹ M.

Example 217 Model of Angiogenesis in vitro

Prepare the gels by distributing into each chamberslide well (Biocoat Cellware rat tail collagen, Type I, 8-well culturesides: Becton Dickinson 354630) 160 μl of matrigel diluted 1/6 (Growth factor reduced Matrigel: Becton Dickinson 356230) in collagen (Rat Tail Collagen, type I: Becton Dickinson 354236). Allow to gel for 1 hour at 37° C.

Inoculate the human vein endothelial cells (HUVEC ref: C-015-10C—cascade Biologics, INC) or porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) at 15·10³ cells/well in 400 μl of EBM medium (Clonetics C3121)+2% FBS+hEGF 10 μg/ml for the HUVECs and DMEM+3% FCS+2 mM glutamine+1 mM sodium pyruvate+1% nonessential amino acids (GIBCO) for the PAECs.

Stimulate with b-FGF (TEBU/Peprotech) 10 ng/ml or a-FGF (TEBU/Peprotech) 10 ng/ml in the presence or otherwise of the products of the invention for 24 h at 37° C. in the presence of 5% CO₂.

After 24 hours, fix the cells and stain the slide with the Masson trichrome before examination under the microscope X4 lens and image analysis (BIOCOM—Visiolab 2000 software).

For the test of angiogenesis in vitro induced by b-FGF or a-FGF, the compounds of the invention demonstrated a specific activity of between 10⁻⁷ M and 10⁻¹¹ M.

Example 218 Model of Inflammatory Angiogenesis in Mice

Angiogenesis is required for the development of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, but also for the development of solid tumours. The formation of new vessels not only allows the perfusion of pathological tissues, but also the transport of cytokines responsible for establishing the chronicity of the disease.

The model described by Colville-Nash P. et al., (D. JPET., 1995, Vol. 274 No. 3, pp. 1463-1472) makes it possible to study pharmacological agents capable of modulating the appearance of angiogenesis.

The animals, nonconsanguineous white mice of about 25 g, are anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg; Sanofi Nutrition Santé Animale) by the intraperitoneal route.

An air pouch is created on the back of the mice by injecting 3 ml of air subcutaneously.

After becoming conscious, the animals receive a treatment, in general by force-feeding, and receive an injection of 0.5 ml of Freund's adjuvant (Sigma) with 0.1% croton oil (Sigma) in the pouch.

Seven days later, the mice are again anaesthetized and placed on a heating plate at 40° C. One ml of carmine red (5% in 10% gelatine—Aldrich Chemicals) is injected into the tail vein. The animals are then placed at 4° C. for 2-3 hours.

The skins are then removed and dried for 48 hours in an oven at 56° C. The dry tissues are weighed and placed in 1.8 ml of digestion buffer (2 mM dithiothreitol, 2 mM Na₂HPO₄, 1 mM EDTA, 12 U/ml papain) for 24 hours.

The stain is then dissolved in 0.2 ml of 5 M NaOH. The skins are centrifuged at 2000 g for 10 min. The supernatants are filtered on 0.2 μm cellulose acetate membranes. The filtrates are read in a spectrophotometer at 492 nm against a carmine red calibration series.

Two parameters are studied: the dry weight of the granuloma and the quantity of stain after digestion of this tissue.

The results are expressed as mean values (±SEM). The differences between the groups are tested with an ANOVA followed by Dunnet's test for which the reference group is the “solvent control” group.

The compounds of the invention are active by the oral route at doses of 0.1 to 100 mg/kg.

Example 219 Model of MATRIGEL Angiogenesis in Mice

The model described by Passaniti et al. (Laboratory Investigation (1992) 67 (4) pp. 519-524) makes it possible to study pharmacological agents capable of modulating the appearance of angiogenesis which is specifically induced by b-FGF. FGF2 (Peprotech) is added to Matrigel (Beckton Dickinson) kept in liquid form at 4° C., in an amount of 300 ng/ml. After homogenization, the mixture (0.5 ml) is subcutaneously injected into the base of the back of black female mice (C57/B16) of about 20 g, anaesthetized beforehand with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg; Sanofi Nutrition Santé Animale) by the intraperitoneal route. The animals are treated by force-feeding. After 5 days, the mice are again anaesthetized and the skin of the base of the back is removed; at this stage, the qualitative differences in vascularization of the granuloma are evaluated (awarded scores) and the granulomas are photographed. An assay of DNA in the granulomas is then carried out in order to quantify its cellularity. For that, the isolated granulomas are digested with collagenase (3 mg/ml) overnight at 37° C. After centrifugation at 850 g for 10 min, the supernatant is discarded and the pellet is redissolved in 1.2 ml of PBS buffer containing 1 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂ and 5 mM glucose. The quantity of DNA present is measured with the aid of a kit (Cyquant-GR®, Molecular probe) according to the instructions of the supplier.

The results are expressed as mean values (±SEM). The differences between the groups are tested with an ANOVA followed by a Dunnet's test for which the reference group is the “solvent control” group.

For the histological studies, the granulomas are removed with the muscle and the skin, fixed overnight in a 10% formaldehyde solution and embedded in paraffin (Embedder Leica®). The granulomas are then sliced with the aid of a microtome (Leica) and stained with the Masson's trichrome stain. Neovascularization of the granulomas is then evaluated. The vascularization levels are between a value of 0 and 5.

The compounds of the invention are active by the oral route at doses of 0.1 to 100 mg/kg.

Example 220 Model of Tumour Angiogenesis in Mice

This model makes it possible to study pharmacological agents capable of modulating the appearance of angiogenesis specifically induced by tumour development. C56/B16 mice of about 20 g are anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg; Sanofi Nutrition Santé Animale) by the intraperitoneal route. The tumours are established by subcutaneous injection on the back of mouse Lewis Lung cells in an amount of 2·10⁵ cells/mouse. After 5 days, the mice are treated daily by force-feeding. The size of the tumours is measured twice per week for 21 days and the tumour volume is calculated using the formula: [π/6(ω)₁×ω₂)], where ω₁ represents the largest diameter and ω₂ represents the smallest diameter.

The results are expressed as mean values (±SEM). The differences between the groups are tested with an ANOVA followed by a Dunnet's test for which the reference group is the “solvent control” group.

The compounds of the invention are active by the oral route at doses of 0.1 to 100 mg/kg. 

1. A compound of formula I,

in which R₁ represents a hydroxyl radical, a linear or branched alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a carboxyl radical, or a radical of formula: —NR₅R₆ —NH—SO₂-Alk —NH—SO₂-Ph —NH—CO-Ph —N(Alk)-CO-Ph —NH—CO—NH-Ph —NH—CO-Alk —NH—CO₂-Alk —O—(CH₂)_(n)-cAlk —O-Alk-COOR₇ —O-Alk-O—R₈ —O-Alk-OH —O-Alk-C(NH₂):NOH —O-Alk-NR₅R₆ —O-Alk-CN —O—(CH₂)_(n)-Ph —O-Alk-CO—NR₅R₆ —CO—NH—(CH₂)_(m)—COOR₇ —CO—NH-Alk in which Alk represents an alkyl radical or a linear or branched alkylene radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, cAlk represents a cycloalkyl radical of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, n represents an integer from 0 to 5, m represents an integer from 1 to 5, R₅ and R₆, which are identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical, R₇ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R₈ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a radical —CO-Alk, Ph represents a phenyl radical which is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, with one or more alkoxy radicals of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with one or more carboxyl radicals or with one or more alkoxycarbonyl radicals of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, R₂ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a haloalkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms containing 3 to 5 halogen atoms, a cycloalkyl radical of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl radical which is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, with one or more alkoxy radicals of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with one or more carboxyl radicals or with one or more alkoxycarbonyl radicals of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, A represents a radical —CO—, R₃ and R₄, which are identical or different, each represent an alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an amino radical, a carboxyl radical, an alkoxycarbonyl radical of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl radical, a nitro radical, a hydroxyamino radical, a radical of formula —Alk-COOR₇ —NR₅R₆ —NH-Alk-COOR₇ —NH—COO-Alk —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk —N(R₁₁)-Alk-NR₅R₆ —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk —N(R₁₁)—CO—CF₃ —NH-Alk-HetN —O-Alk-CO—NR₅R₆ —O-Alk-HetN in which n, m, Alk, R₅, R₆ and R₇ have the meaning given above for R₁, and R₉ and R₁₀, which are identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R₁₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂ where R₁₂ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical, HetN represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally another heteroatom chosen from nitrogen and oxygen, or R₃ and R₄ form together a 5- to 6-membered unsaturated heterocycle, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, in which R₁ represents a hydroxyl radical, a linear or branched alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a carboxyl radical, or a radical of formula: —NR₅R₆ —NH—SO₂-Alk —NH—SO₂-Ph —NH—CO-Ph —N(Alk)-CO-Ph —NH—CO—NH-Ph —NH—CO-Alk —NH—CO₂-Alk —O—(CH₂)_(n)-cAlk —O-Alk-COOR₇ —O-Alk-O—R₈ —O-Alk-OH —O-Alk-NR₅R₆ —O-Alk-CN —O—(CH₂)_(n)-Ph —O-Alk-CO—NR₅R₆ —CO—NH—(CH₂)_(m)—COOR₇ —CO—NH-Alk in which Alk represents an alkyl radical or a linear or branched alkylene radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, cAlk represents a cycloalkyl radical of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, n represents an integer from 0 to 5, m represents an integer from 1 to 5, R₅ and R₆, which are identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical, R₇ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R₈ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a radical —CO-Alk, Ph represents a phenyl radical which is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, with one or more alkoxy radicals of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with one or more carboxyl radicals or with one or more alkoxycarbonyl radicals of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, R₂ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a trifluoromethyl radical, a cycloalkyl radical of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl radical which is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, with one or more alkoxy radicals of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with one or more carboxyl radicals or with one or more alkoxycarbonyl radicals of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, A represents a radical —CO—, R₃ and R₄, which are identical or different each represent an alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an amino radical, a carboxyl radical, an alkoxycarbonyl radical of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro radical, a hydroxyamino radical, a radical of formula -Alk-COOR₇ —NR₅R₆ —NH-Alk-COOR₇ —NH—COO-Alk —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk —N(R₁₁)-Alk-NR₅R₆ —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk —N(R₁₁)—CO—CF₃ —NH-Alk-HetN in which n, m, Alk, R₅, R₆ and R₇ have the meaning given above for R₁, and R₉ and R₁₀, which are identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R₁₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂ where R₁₂ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical, HetN represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally another heteroatom chosen from nitrogen and oxygen.
 3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R₁ represents an alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a carboxyl radical, a radical —O-Alk-COOH in which Alk represents an alkylene radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a radical of formula —O-Alk-Ph in which Alk represents an alkylene radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms and Ph represents a phenyl radical which is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or with one or more alkoxy radicals of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or with one or more carboxyl radicals, a radical of formula —NH—CO-Ph, a radical of formula —NH—SO₂-Ph or a radical of formula —NH—CO—NH-Ph, R₂ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, A represents a radical —CO—, and R₃ and R₄, which are different, each represent an alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an amino radical, a carboxyl radical or an alkoxycarbonyl radical of 2 to 6 carbon atoms.
 4. A compound according to claim 1 selected from the group consisting of: (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)methanone, 3-(4-amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl carboxylic acid, 2-{[3-(4-amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]oxy}acetic acid, (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl){1-[(4-chlorobenzyl)oxy]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}methanone, (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl){1-[(3-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}methanone, 4-({[3-(4-amino-3-methoxybenzoyl)-2-methylindolizin-1-yl]oxy}methyl)benzoic acid, 2-amino-5-[(1-methoxy-2-methylindolizin-3-yl)carbonyl]benzoic acid, 2-amino-5-({1-[(3-methoxybenzoyl)amino]-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoic acid, 2-amino-5-({2-methyl-1-[(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)amino]indolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoic acid, and 2-amino-5-({1-{[(3-methoxyphenyl)sulphonyl]amino}-2-methylindolizin-3-yl}carbonyl)benzoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. A method for preparing the compounds according to claim 1 wherein A) an indolizine derivative of formula II,

in which R₁ and R₂ have the meaning given for formula I, but R₂ does not represent a hydrogen atom or a haloalkyl radical, is condensed with a derivative of formula III,

in which X represents a halogen atom and R₃ or R₄, which are identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a nitro radical, a trifluoroacetamido radical or an alkoxycarbonyl radical of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ia, Id or Ik,

and then, a) the compounds of formula Ia are subjected to a reduction in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ib,

 in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent an amino radical, which compounds of formula Ib then are subjected to the action of an alkyl halide in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₄ and/or R₃ represent a radical —NR₅R₆ (in which R₅ represents a hydrogen atom and R₆ represents an alkyl radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms) and a radical —NH-Alk-NR₅R₆ or a radical —NH-Alk-COOR₇ (in which R₇ does not represent a hydrogen atom) from which, by a subsequent saponification, the compounds of formula I are obtained in which R₄ and/or R₃ represent a radical —NH-Alk-COOR₇ in which R₇ represents a hydrogen atom, or are subjected to acylation in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₄ and/or R₃ represent a radical —NH—CO-Alk, or a radical —NH—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀, which are then subjected to alkylation in order to obtain a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁ represents a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂ in which R₁₂ does not represent a hydrogen atom, the latter compounds are then optionally subjected to saponification in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₄ and/or R₃ represent a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—CO-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁ represents a radical -Alk-COOH, or are subjected to sulphonylation in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₄ and/or R₃ represent a radical —NH—SO₂-Alk or a radical —NH—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀, which are then subjected to alkylation in order to obtain a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁ represents a radical -Alk-COOR₁₂ in which R₁₂ does not represent a hydrogen atom, the latter compounds are then optionally subjected to saponification in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₄ and/or R₃ represent a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk or a radical —N(R₁₁)—SO₂-Alk-NR₉R₁₀ where R₁₁ represents a radical -Alk-COOH b) the compounds of formula Id in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent an alkoxycarbonyl radical are subjected to saponification in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₃ and/or R₄ represent a carboxyl radical, or c) when R₁ represents a benzyloxy radical, the compounds of formula Ia are subjected to the action of trifluoroacetic acid or the compounds of formula Id to hydrogenation, in order to obtain the compounds of formula If,

and then the compounds of formula If are subjected to O-alkylation in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ig,

in which R₃ and/or R₄ have the meanings given above, and R₁ represents a linear or branched alkoxy radical of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a radical —O—(CH₂)_(n)-cAlk, a radical —O-Alk-COOR₇, a radical —O-Alk-NR₅R₆, a radical —O—(CH₂)_(n)—Ph, or a radical —O-Alk-O—R₈— which, when R₈ represents a radical —COCH₃, can give, by subsequent saponification, a radical —O-Alk-OH—, or a radical —O-Alk-CN which, by treatment with hydroxylamine, gives a radical —O-Alk-C(NH₂)═NOH, or d) when R₁ represents an alkoxycarbonyl radical, the compounds of formula Ia are subjected to saponification in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ih,

which are then subjected to the action of an amine derivative in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₁ represents a radical —CO—NH-Alk, or to the action of an amino acid derivative in order to obtain the compounds of formula I in which R₁ represents a radical —CO—NH—(CH₂)_(m)—COOR₇ or e) when R₁ represents a radical —NH—CO₂tButyl, the compounds of formula Ia or Id are subjected either to alkylation followed by deprotection and an optional second alkylation in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ii, or to deprotection, followed by acylation in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ij in which R₅ represents a hydrogen atom, followed by an optional alkylation in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ij in which R₅ represents an alkyl radical

or f) when R₁ represents a radical —NH—CO₂tButyl, the compounds of formula Ik are subjected either to deprotection, followed by acylation in order to obtain the compounds of formula II

or to deprotection followed by sulphonylation in order to obtain the compounds of formula Im

or to deprotection, followed by a treatment with a phenyl isocyanate in order to obtain the compounds of formula In

OR B) when R₁ represents an electron-attracting group, R₂ represents a hydrogen atom or a haloalkyl radical and A represents a radical —CO—, pyridine is reacted with a bromoacetophenone of formula IV,

in order to obtain the compounds of formula V,

which are then subjected to a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with ethyl acrylate or a halogenated derivative of ethyl crotonate in the presence of an oxidizing agent in order to obtain the compounds of formula Ia in which R₁ represents an ethoxycarbonyl radical and R₂ represents a hydrogen atom or a haloalkyl radical.
 6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 together with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 4 together with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 